Afua Kudom (Freelance Careers Consultant and Coach. Afua is also a trustee at the Nicholas Hammond Foundation, as well as Director at Inclusive Futures CIC.)1. This year’s theme for Black History Month is ‘Reclaiming our Narratives’. What is one thing that you would like to share about your cultural heritage with our community?
I am Asante heritage (referred to as Ashanti in English), which is now part of modern-day Ghana. The region and people have a rich history, with many traditions and cultural celebrations still observed to this day. The capital of the Asante region is called Kumasi and if you ever visit, I recommend a trip to Manhyia Palace to learn more about the people and history. My forename, Afua, is an Akan day name which means ‘Friday born’.
2. What is the highlight of your career, what work have you done that has been the most meaningful and rewarding to you so far?
There have been numerous highlights so I won’t pick a specific one. Instead, the thing that has been the most meaningful and rewarding to me has been making career choices which align with my core values, whilst also empowering others to take action at critical points in their education, career and life, to craft their own destinies and honour their true selves.
3. What does Black History Month mean to you? And how will you be celebrating your culture?
Black history is world history and throughout the year, I am very intentional about seeking out opportunities to learn more about and celebrate both the life experiences, and diverse contributions those of African and Caribbean heritage have made both historically and continue to make at present. During Black History Month, I especially enjoy attending local events, talks and exhibitions, to learn more about the rich tapestry of black heritage in the UK context.
1. This year’s theme for Black History Month is ‘Reclaiming our Narratives’. What is one thing that you would like to share about your cultural heritage with our community?
Although I am British by birth, my cultural heritage is Guyanese. Both of my parents were born and raised there and we’ve visited there quite a few times, so I still have a strong connection to Guyana. Despite being on the continent of South America, Guyana is the only english-speaking country in South America and is considered to be part of the Caribbean.
Something that suprises a lot of people about the Caribbean is the rich blend of cultures that make up the countries there. Guyana itself is known as the “Land of Six Peoples” as it historically consisted of six ethnic groups: African, Indian, Chinese, Portugese, European and Amerindian (Native Guyanese). As such, I have always found it easy to relate to other cultures and ethnicities as there is a lot of overlap with traditions, foods, and celebrations. We speak an English-based Creole called Guyanese creole, or “Creolese”, which is a language based in English with influences from West African, Indian, Dutch and Arawakan languages.
Heritage plays such an important role in shaping identity, and for me, being Guyanese is a constant reminder of the strength and resilience of my ancestors. Guyana’s history is one of survival, adaptation, and cultural exchange, from the early Amerindian communities to the influence of African, Indian, and other groups brought over during the transatlantic slave trade and colonization. My heritage is a reflection of this rich tapestry of cultures. The food, music, and even the way we celebrate life with family and friends carry the legacies of these diverse influences. For instance, dishes like curry and roti have deep Indian roots, while pepperpot and cassava bread are linked to the indigenous people of Guyana. Growing up, these traditions were a key part of my life, grounding me in a history that is both complex and beautiful. To me, reclaiming the narrative means honoring those who came before us and ensuring that their stories are told and remembered accurately, as well as sharing and passing down traditions so that they can live on for generations more.
2. What is your biggest accomplishment so far, what have you done that has been the most meaningful and rewarding to you in your life?
My biggest accomplishment so far has been the way I’ve managed to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around me, especially through the extracurricular work I’ve done since 6th form. When I was 16, I started a podcast called LOUD because, like a lot of young people, especially people of color, I felt like our voices were often drowned out, even when we were talking about things that directly impacted us like race and social justice. I wanted to create a platform where young people could speak up, share their opinions, and have conversations that mattered to us.
LOUD has always been more than just a podcast. It gave me a sense of purpose, and helped me and the people who participated to build confidence and connect with each other in a way we hadn’t had the opportunity to before. When it felt like there no seat at the table for us, we built our own. I was even invited to discuss it on BBC Radio Kent, and I was invited to help my local council with an initiative to make the area better for children and young people.
At university, I’ve taken on roles that allow me to keep making an impact. As the BAME Representative, I worked with student council, welfare and communities board, and the university’s Racial Equality and Action Group to make sure BAME students’ voices were represented in those spaces. Being a Peer Leader for PLTL is another big highlight, as it gave me the opportunity to helping students with parts of their academic journey. The biggest reward from both of these roles is hearing that I’ve inspired other students and had a positive impact on their academic journeys.
Now, as the Black History Month Community Organizer for 2024, I’m excited to keep pushing forward and creating spaces where students can feel empowered, celebrate their identities, and uplift one another. I hope that even long after I graduate, I’ll be able to continue making a difference.
Black History Month is a dedicated time to reflect on our rich history and celebrate the achievents of Black people worldwide. As Cherron Inko-Tariah, editor in chief of the Black History Month magazine, perfectly expressed, “for far too long our histories have been narrated by others, leading to distorted portrayals that fail to capture the full breadth and depth of our experiences.”
I am honoured to organise QMSU’s Black History Month this year because, for me, it is not only about recognising the Black experience, but also about celebrating and uplifting the diverse cultures and intersections within the Black Diaspora. Black History is not just something of the past – it is our present. There are history-makers within our community today, and this month provides an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate them all.
At Queen Mary, I want to ensure that we acknowledge and embrace the diversity of Black culture, whilst showcasing the contributions of Black students and alumni from our own community. It’s time for us to create our own stories and shape our own narrative of what it means to be a person of Black heritage at Queen Mary. That’s why I’ve organised a month of celebration, with plenty of opportunities for students to showcase their work and achievements, express themselves through creativity, engage with mental health and wellbeing activities, and more. Ultimately, Black History Month is a time for everyone to come together, learn, and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from my cultural heritage is the importance of interdependence. In Ugandan culture, communities are closely knit and rely on each other for support, cooperation, and shared resources. This interdependence fosters a strong sense of belonging and solidarity, and it highlights the power of collective action to address challenges and achieve common goals.
Having an interdependent community means that you have a vast network of support available to you, and you can also meaningfully impact the lives of others.
My career is still early in its development, but one of the most significant highlights has been my involvement in Uganda’s national COVID-19 response as a lab technologist at Makerere University’s Biomedical Research Center. This experience was incredibly meaningful and rewarding, as it allowed me to directly contribute to public health efforts and support my community during a challenging time.
Working on the pandemic response helped me realize my passion for health advocacy and inspired me to pursue a Master’s degree in Global Public Health and Policy. It also opened doors for me to explore other areas of healthcare, such as medical communications, occupational health, and medical travel facilitation. These experiences have broadened my understanding of the diverse ways in which I can make a positive impact on health outcomes.
While Black History Month is relatively new to me, having moved to the UK, I deeply appreciate its significance. As a Black woman, it's incredibly empowering to see the contributions of people who look like me celebrated and recognized. This visibility is crucial; it nourishes the belief that if they can achieve great things, so can I. As someone striving for ambitious goals, these examples serve as powerful reminders that my aspirations are attainable.
To celebrate my culture, I'm committed to showing up authentically. This means embracing my heritage, sharing my experiences, and contributing to the community in ways that are meaningful to me.
My cultural heritage is actually quite diverse as I’m from a few different countries (Nigeria, Barbados and Jamaica!) But one thing I would like to share that is present across all three cultures is the importance of community and celebration. Regardless of the occasion, we come together and we celebrate and we do so loudly! We play music, we dance, we support each other, we laugh, we love and I think it is such an important part of life. The narrative I’d like to reclaim is that as a community we are loud – I would argue that we are simply living and loving life loudly and that to me is beautiful!
I did only graduate last year! But I think one of my highlights has been working with some young people to help them make funding decisions about youth programmes and provisions in Islington. It was a difficult process at times, but being able to guide and assist them throughout the process (deciding what sorts of programmes they wanted to fund, putting out a call for applications, reading, shortlisting and then interviewing organisations before making final decisions) was extremely rewarding. Young people are incredible - being able to celebrate the hard work they put in to make change in their local communities is so important and was so lovely.
Black History Month to me means power, liberation, resilience and joy. It is a reminder of just how amazing Black people are and is a time to recognise and reflect on not only the struggles (which often seem to be the main focus of the month) but also the wins, contributions, and the amazing things Black people have done throughout history that aren’t often known, recognised or even considered in our usual day to day, despite our having to work a little bit harder to get to the same place as some of our peers.
I will be celebrating this year by really taking care of myself this month and by spending time with my community and taking in and sharing some of the beautiful things that have happened throughout history in the Black community.
Despite the challenges that Congolese people are going through in the East, we are strong, creative, talented, and determined. The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo have a rich and diverse cultural heritage, with over 200 ethnic groups, each contributing to a vibrant mixture of languages, music, dance, and traditions. Our country is known for its incredible musical legacy, from the rhythms of Congolese rumba to soukous, which have influenced global music. Artists such as Koffi Olomide with his song ‘Loi’ and Mbilia Bel with ‘Nakei Narobi’ have inspired new generations of African artists. We are also blessed with an abundance of natural resources and the resilient spirit of our people, who have continued to create art, music, and fashion that inspire beyond our borders.
I promise you that if you meet a Congolese person, you will have lots of fun, enjoy great music, and leave with a deeper appreciation for our culture!
Let’s continue to uplift our voices and stand together for a Free Congo.
My biggest accomplishment so far has been working alongside the Student Union and the Advice and Counselling team to address mental health concerns on campus. For the first time in a while, we worked together to discuss what students were going through and explored solutions we could implement as a university. As a result, we organised events like University Mental Health Day, which turned out to be a great success and was received positively by many students. This experience was rewarding because it allowed us to create a supportive environment where students felt heard and empowered.
Additionally, through the Careers and Enterprise team, I had the opportunity to work in a school where students had faced significant challenges. My time there was eye-opening and deeply meaningful, as it helped me realise my true passion—becoming a teacher. I want to dedicate myself to helping the younger generation, particularly those facing difficulties, by providing support and guidance through education.
Black History Month means celebrating the rich contributions of the black diaspora and celebrating our friends, family, and loved ones. It’s a time to recognize and appreciate the achievements of black people in the UK and around the world, which have significantly shaped the cultural, social, and political landscapes of many countries. While October is a special time for reflection and celebration, I believe it’s important to honour our culture and history throughout the entire year.
I will be celebrating my culture by highlighting the achievements and stories of Congolese people, advocating for a free Congo, and participating in community events that raise awareness about our heritage and ongoing challenges. This includes sharing Congolese art and music, engaging in discussions, and encouraging others to appreciate and support our culture, fostering solidarity and understanding within our communities. Furthermore, to celebrate other cultures within the black diaspora, I will go to black-owned markets and businesses around Hackney and Brixton to find out more about different cultures.
Reclaiming our narratives is crucial because it empowers us to shape how our stories are told, ensuring that our history and experiences are accurately represented. One aspect of my cultural heritage that I’m particularly proud of is the rich tradition. Growing up, we didn’t just learn about history; we learned about values, resilience, and important life lessons through the stories passed down from our elders. This practice reflects the wisdom and strength that have been carried through generations. Sharing our narratives not only strengthens our sense of identity but also helps others appreciate the diversity of our experiences, fostering greater understanding and unity.
The highlight of my career has undoubtedly been founding BYP Network, a multi-million pound company dedicated to advancing the careers of Black professionals globally. The most meaningful and rewarding work for me has been seeing how BYP Network has connected thousands of Black professionals, provided career opportunities, and fostered an environment of empowerment and growth. Building a platform that helps individuals break barriers, build meaningful connections, is both fulfilling and motivating. Knowing that we are contributing to real change, elevating voices, and creating a global community of Black excellence has been the most rewarding part of my career so far.
Black History Month is a deeply personal time of reflection, celebration, and education. It’s not just about honoring the achievements of Black people throughout history, but also about remembering the sacrifices and strength of those who came before us. For me, it’s a reminder of how much we’ve accomplished and how much more there is to do in reclaiming our stories and shaping our future. Working through BYP Network, I’ve seen firsthand the power of community in helping Black professionals break barriers and create spaces where we thrive. This month, I’ll continue to focus on expanding opportunities for Black professionals, ensuring that we not only celebrate our history but actively build the future we deserve.
Growing up in Sudan, storytelling was like breathing it was everywhere. We had stories about magic, about people who could talk to God and make your life easier. I always thought If only that magic could help me pass my exams! Hahaha, but on a serious note, those stories were more than just fun they gave us strength and taught us to keep going, no matter what. As I continue my journey, I carry that resilience with me. Reclaiming our narratives isn’t just about our past; it’s about shaping the future with a bit of that ‘magic’ minus the wands.
The highlight of my career has been founding Salibo, which, let’s be honest, started because I realized the security industry was more disorganized than my childhood room. As a security guard, I saw people working hard and still struggling to get paid. I thought, there’s got to be a better way! Salibo was born from that thought and it’s not just about fixing an industry, it’s about giving people the opportunity to take control of their lives. And yes, creating a system that does work and provides social justice has been a bit like finding the magic formula or eliminating a genetic disorder. Now, if only I could apply that to finding my keys every morning!
Black History Month is like our community’s giant group huge a time to reflect, celebrate, and share our stories. For me, it’s also a chance to show that even when life throws you a million obstacles. Like, I don’t know, crossing the largest desert in Africa looking after camels like Alexander the Great or crossing the Mediterranean in a fishing boat with over 400 people like Vikings. You can still make it to the other side. I’ll be celebrating by connecting with friends, supporting Black-owned businesses, and probably eating way too much at community events. It’s a celebration, after all! It’s about taking pride in our shared history, laughing through the challenges, and looking forward to the future. Plus, any excuse to add some extra flavour to life is a win!
One thing I love about my cultural heritage is the importance of community and family in Nigerian culture. There is a large emphasis on interconnectedness and support that we provide for each other. Celebrating this aspect of our heritage can remind us of the power of unity and collaboration in our communities today.
So far, working with Enterprise Mobility has allowed me to work with some amazing charities, such as The Girls Network who focus on empowering girls and women to thrive in education and the workplace. Working with The Girls Network has been extremely rewarding so far, allowing me to work alongside a company who values giving every girl and woman a chance to succeed.
To me, Black History Month is all about celebrating diversity and learning more about the different cultures within the black community. This enables everyone to become more educated and provides a more inclusive environment for all. In the UK, Nigerian Independance Day falls on the same month as Black History Month, which means it resonates with me more, and I will be starting Black History Month by celebrating the independence of my home country.
Being from Nigerian descent, my cultural heritage has always been at the forefront of my identity. My parents fortunately raised me in a household where my upbringing emulated their own, spotlighting the qualities of respect, hard work, discipline, and lots of laughs! Combining this with being a first-generation child in Essex meant that it would have been easy to forget my heritage and lose sight of my cultural narrative. However, being comfortable and proud of where you’re from and what that stands for is particularly important, especially as we strive to bring our ‘true’ selves to the community and workplace. I am a firm believer in the diversity of people and thought as this brings about the most chance of a value-adding atmosphere to the community. So, if you are to play your part then don’t be shy in revisiting your cultural heritage and bringing it forward.
The current highlight of my career would be the promotion from Manager to Senior Manager at KPMG UK. I was not initially sure if the consulting world was for me and that I was possibly out my depth but going through the application process opened my eyes that if you set your mind to something and work hard, you can achieve anything. What I found particularly rewarding about this milestone was that whilst it was a ‘point in time’ event, it was a culmination of years of work and trails & errors that aggregated to personal case that landed me the promotion. I would encourage everyone to not be afraid of challenging yourselves as that is the best way to grow. Also, you can stay true to yourself and advance in your career, don’t feel a need to become something you’re not.
Black History Month is a conscious reminder for all people to delve deeper into the black culture, history, contributions, and values that are associated with our race. Whilst I believe that these aspects should be factored all year round, like many things it represents a periodic time for those less familiar to become even more curious and give further license to ask questions and embrace & understand our history. On one hand it should earmark a time of reflection, understanding how far we have come and the sacrifice so many people made and on the other hand it should highlight the wonderful cultures, food, sporting, music, artistry, vibrancy, and social contributions that have been made by Black people.
I will be celebrating by sampling many wonderful cuisines from multiple African and Caribbean countries (both at our KPMG cafeteria and through friends), attending multiple seminars and socials and kickstarting it off with a celebration for Nigeria Independence Day!
Dr Kétévi Assamagan is a particle physicist from Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA. He was born in Gabon and raised in Togo where he graduated. He joined the ATLAS experiment, one of the four major experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, in 1998 and has since made important contributions to the construction and integration of various ATLAS subdetectors. He also played a key role in the search and eventual discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, and coordinated the development of the ATLAS analysis software.
Nominated by: Dr Ulla Blumenschein, School of Physics and Astronomy.
I know Kétévi from my first years as a researcher in the ATLAS experiment at CERN where I started in 2006.”
Dr Idris Assani is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is known for his pioneering work in Wiener Wintner Ergodic Theorems. In 2012 his outstanding contributions to the field of mathematics were recognised when he was named an inaugural fellow of the American Mathematical Society.
Nominated by: Professor Alex Clark, School of Mathematical Sciences.
His work in ergodic theory was known to me long before I had any idea of his ethnicity, and was an inspiration to me as a PhD student. When I finally met him I was deeply impressed with his mastery of the subject and his genial personality.”
Alice Ball developed the ‘Ball treatment’ - the most effective treatment for leprosy during the early 20th century. When she was only 23, she developed a technique which allowed chaulmoogra oil, obtained from the seed of the Hydnocarpus wightianus tree, to be safely injected and absorbed by the body. This remained an effective treatment for leprosy until the 1940s when sulphonamide drugs were discovered. Sadly, her research was unpublished because of her untimely death at the age of 24 from chlorine gas poisoning. The work was extended and later published by Arthur L. Dean but her name was not mentioned in the publication.
Nominated by: Dr Henry Oamen, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.
"Alice Ball was the first woman to receive a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii. Unfortunately, like many during her time, her contribution was ignored and she was not given the proper recognition for her groundbreaking work as a scientist until after her death.”
In 1951 Herman Branson predicted the structure of the α-helix and the β-sheet, the principal secondary structures of proteins, along with Linus Pauling and Robert Corey. Their predictions were were astoundingly correct and have now been seen in tens of thousands of proteins. The discovery of the alpha-helix by model building ranks up there with Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA.
Nominated by: Professor Richard Pickersgill, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.
“Herman Branson plays a similar role to Rosalind Franklin in the well-known story of photo 51 and the structure of DNA, as the overlooked player in the story of the α-helix. It is now time to recognize Branson equally alongside Pauling and Corey in these important fundamental insights into the architecture of proteins.”
Scott Edwards is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. He is well-known in the field of evolutionary biology specifically on the topics of population genetics, species evolution, coalescent theory, and phylogenetic trees. His research focuses on birds and their relatives, combining field, museum and genomics approaches to understand the basis of avian diversity, evolution and behaviour.
Nominated by: Dr Weini Huang, School of Mathematical Sciences.
“Although his work focuses more on the molecular biology side of evolutionary biology, his papers have inspired many theoreticians like me as well. He is also very active in supporting young scientists. I remember him as a kind person within the scientific advisory board of our institute during my PhD, and he provided many personal suggestions to help PhD students develop their research careers.”
Aprille Ericsson-Jackson is an American aerospace engineer and was the first African-American woman to receive a PhD in Engineering at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center. She has worked for NASA as an instrument manager for many years, and has been integral to missions sending spacecrafts to other bodies within the solar system. Using her expertise she has helped to manage the orientation and position of a number of NASA spacecrafts and worked on spacecraft stabilisation systems.
Nominated by: Professor Hazel Screen, School of Engineering and Materials Science.
“I personally will be nominating Aprille Ericsson-Jackson, an unsung hero of aerospace engineering and the first African-American woman to achieve a doctorate degree in engineering at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.”
Professor Bertram Fraser-Reid was a world leader in the development of carbohydrate synthesis. He led the synthesis of the largest synthetic carbohydrate ever made, and was also a mentor and role model for many African-American scientists.
Nominated by: Dr Gabriel Cavalli, School of Engineering and Materials Science.
“As a young MRes student from Uruguay, I attended my first international conference in 1994 in Brazil, where Professor Fraser-Reid was the main speaker. While I was a novice and utterly inexperienced to fully grasp his credentials, I got the vibes from the room. Everyone was in awe of Professor Fraser-Reid and his accomplishments in the field, in a magnitude that was not paralleled by any of the multiple international speakers that had been invited. My supervisor, who had done his PhD in the USA, was utterly starstruck. We are rightfully starting to address the imbalance in recognition and representation in academia, but in 1994, the situation was much worse. As I progressed in my own career, even though I eventually departed from this scientific field, I realised the magnitude of his contribution. He was certainly thought of merit for a Nobel Prize.”
Born in 1911 Sir Walter Lincoln Hawkins was orphaned as a young child and raised by his sister. Despite his difficult upbringing he completed a doctoral degree at McGill University. In 1942, he accepted a position at AT&T’s Bell laboratories in New Jersey, becoming the first Black member of staff. Here he worked on polymers, specifically on the stabilisation of polymers for their use in telecommunications. In 1956 Hawkins, together with Victor Lanza, invented a polymer with antioxidants that prevented deterioration even in extreme temperatures. The plastic cable sheath began widespread production in the 1960s and became widely used as an inexpensive, durable, and safe coating for telecommunications wires. It is still used to protect fibre optic cables today.
Nominated by: Dr Ruth Rose, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.
"I discovered the lengths and depths of Sir Hawkins achievements as I started to become more interested in polymer chemistry. I was impressed by the variety of scientific contributions he had made, not just in polymer synthesis but analysis also. However, I was particularly struck that he had managed to achieve such prestige and success on a backdrop of family tragedy and prejudice. In his later life he used his position to support, mentor and facilitate a pathway for the future generations, which shows a generosity of spirit and is really inspiring."
Mary W Jackson was the first African-American female engineer at NASA. However, her career path to becoming an engineer with NASA was not straightforward. After graduating from the Hampton Institute in 1942 with a dual degree in Maths and Physical Sciences, she had to do several jobs such as teaching, bookkeeping and working as an army secretary at Fort Monroe. Finally, she got the opportunity to work for the engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki who gave her the chance to conduct experiments in a Supersonic Pressure Tunnel, which blasted winds at twice the speed of sound. On his suggestion, she entered a training programme to be promoted from mathematician to engineer. For this she had to gain special permission to study in the same class as her white colleagues.
Nominated by: Shreya Suresh, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences. “The rarity of female engineers and challenges for Black women in science make her career and achievements even more impressive. Apart from Mary Jackson’s contribution to scientific understanding of the “boundary layer effects on aerospace vehicles at supersonic speeds”, I admire her humanitarian spirit and the way she always looked to combine science with helping others to achieve. It is also incredibly motivating for me to see a woman achieve so much in STEM despite the obstacles she was presented with.”
Professor Johnson is a British academic who has made significant contributions to string theory and more broadly, theoretical high energy particle physics. He is currently a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California, USA. He is also a frequent blogger and excellent science communicator.
Nominated by: Dr Costis Papageorgakis, School of Physics and Astronomy.
Professor Johnson is not only a prize-winning scientist, he is also a charismatic persona who inspires young students of all colours and backgrounds to do physics. I was one of those students as his MSc advisee in 2003."
Dr Lonnie Johnson is an aerospace engineer that has worked in the US Air Force and NASA, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is also the inventor of the Super Soaker and the first Nerf guns, which have gone on to be some of the bestselling toys of all time.
Nominated by: Joe Davies, School of Physics and Astronomy.
“So many children across the world have spent weeks and weeks, over many summers, having a great time with his inventions. I remember as a kid playing outside with friends using super soakers and other water pistols like it. I don't know of many people that haven't at least once picked one up, and the people that have, all have had such a good time with them.”
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who worked at NASA. She is most famous for her critical contribution to crewed missions - her calculations of the capsule trajectory in orbit were preferred to those done by a computer. Over her 33 years at NASA, she contributed to multiple missions including sending the first American astronaut into space, calculating the trajectory of a first crewed mission to orbit the earth, as well as the famous moon landing mission Apollo 11.
Nominated by: Aleksandra Olszewska, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.
“I wanted to nominate Katherine Johnson because throughout her life she had multiple challenges and expectations she had to overcome. Not only was she a woman but she was also Black, and therefore on a daily basis she had to fight with gender bias and racial segregation. She is a true example of resilience. Her contribution to NASA allowed many other women to follow in her steps, she fought to allow women to attend editorial meetings at her branch in NASA and was one of the first women to author or co-author research reports. She is a true role model and should be remembered for her contribution to science.”
Professor Cato Laurencin is a Professor at the University of Connecticut and founder of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He completed his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at Princeton before undertaking a simultaneous MD at Harvard and PhD at MIT. He has won awards for his work at the engineering orthopaedics interface covering bone and soft tissue repair. He has also won the US National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America's highest honour for technological advancement.
Nominated by: Professor Elizabeth Tanner on behalf of the Materials Division, School of Engineering and Materials Science.
As one of the organisers of the World Biomaterial Congress 2020 I am very much looking forward to hearing him give the Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal lecture at the Congress in December. This is one of the five major awards he has received in 2020 alone.”
Ghanaian-born Dr Thomas O Mensah was one of the pioneers in the development of practical optical fibres for high speed digital networks, or fibre optic technology. His work at Corning and later at AT&T Bell Labs helped to develop high speed fibre drawing techniques which proved to be critical advances in the 1980’s when optical fibres began to be installed in large quantities.
Nominated by: Professor Peter Hobson, School of Physics and Astronomy.
“Dr Thomas O Mensah shows just what can be achieved in applied science research and demonstrates a remarkable capacity for both academic and entrepreneurial success over many years. His background growing up in Ghana, and then working for two top companies in the USA is impressive and inspirational.”
Charles Henry Turner was a pioneer in animal cognition, establishing a research programme in the late 19th and early 20th century that was in sharp contrast to existing ideas on this subject. He published over 70 papers comparing brain anatomy in birds and invertebrates showing individual variations in behavior and learning, and examples of intelligent problem solving – at a time when most scientists only credited animals with the simplest of learning abilities.
Despite publishing many important papers, Turner was not given a post at a major US research university position and his work was conducted without access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities or library resources, which makes his achievements even more remarkable.
Nominated by: Professor Lars Chittka, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.
"The list of Turner’s discoveries and insights that should have garnered attention, but did not, is long.
"Every student of animal behavior knows Nikolaas Tinbergen’s study from 1932 on spatial learning, where the later Nobel laureate first marked a beewolf’s nest entrance with pine cones, then moved them to demonstrate that the insect was guided by a memory of the landmarks, but it is mostly unknown that Turner had already published similar findings in 1908."
Stephanie D Wilson is a NASA astronaut who is a veteran of three spaceflights STS-121, STS-120, and STS-131. In total, she has logged more than 42 days in space. Dr Wilson earned her Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science from Harvard University in 1988, before achieving her Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. Her graduate research was sponsored by a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Fellowship, and focused on the control and modelling of large, flexible space structures. She was selected by NASA as an astronaut in April 1996 and flew her first space shuttle mission in 2006, and subsequent shuttle missions in 2007 and 2010.
Nominated by: Professor Vassili Toropov, on behalf of the Division of Aerospace Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering and Materials Science.
Dr Wilson is an outstanding researcher and a role model for the new generation of engineers.”
"I first met Stephanie in February 2007 when Dr Piers Sellers, a Leeds University graduate and NASA astronaut, visited Leeds University where I was working at the time with other Space Shuttle mission STS-121 crew members. Since then we’ve met at several conferences of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, of which we are both Associate Fellows."
Annie Catherine Brewster was born on the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean in 1858. Her father was a wealthy merchant from Barbados who settled in South London in the 1860s with his family.
In 1881 Annie Brewster entered the London Hospital as a trainee nurse and was appointed to the hospital's nursing staff in 1884. She was promoted to nurse in charge of the Ophthalmic Wards in 1888. Brewster became known as 'Nurse Ophthalmic' because of her work with elderly patients who were losing their sight.
Annie died aged 43 after an emergency operation in the London Hospital on 11 February 1902. The matron of the London Hospital, Eva Luckes, wrote of Brewster that: “She had spent the best and happiest years of her life at the London Hospital... With her quick intelligence she became very skilful in the treatment of ‘eyes’ and her kindness to the poor old people who passed through her hands during this period was unwearied. Hospital friends mourn her loss and keep her in affectionate remembrance.”
In 2018, Annie Brewster was one of a number of figures whose photographs were projected onto the facade of the former Royal London Hospital building in Whitechapel to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS.
Arthur Wint MBE, known as the Gentle Giant, was born in Jamaica in 1920. He was sent to Britain for active combat during World War II as a pilot, leaving the Royal Air Force in 1947 to attend St Bartholomew's Hospital as a medical student through a Colonial Development and Welfare scholarship.
In the 1948 London Games, Wint won Jamaica’s first Olympic gold medal for the 400 metres (46.2 seconds) and a silver medal for the 800 metres.
Wint later returned to Jamaica to work at the Surgical Unit of the University College of the West Indies, returning periodically to the UK to undertake further training in surgery and forensic medicine.
In 1974 he was appointed High Commissioner to England and in 1982, Wint merged his love of sports and medicine and was a founding member of the Sports Medicine Association.
Arthur Wint retired from hospital work in August 1985 but continued running his own private practice until his death in 1992.
Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw is an American Lawyer, civil rights advocate and leading scholar of critical race theory who developed the theory of intersectionality in 1989. She is a Professor at the UCLA School of Law and Columbia Law School and specialises in race and gender issues. She is best known for her work on intersectionality, having published multiple books on the subject. Her scholarship was also influential in the development of intersectional feminism which examines the overlapping systems of discrimination which women are subject to due to their ethnicity, sexuality and economic background.
Nominated by: Professor Rainbow Murray, School of Politics and International Relations.
"Kimberlé coined the phrase “intersectionality” that has been so influential in the social sciences more broadly in helping us to understand how different forms of marginalisation intersect.
"She demonstrated how the lived experience of black women is different both from black men and white women, and that we cannot think about race or gender in silos but must recognise that their intersections create distinctive types of oppression that need to be overcome.”
Gloria Jean Watkins, better known by her pen name, bell hooks, is an American author, professor, feminist and social activist. The name, bell hooks, is borrowed from her great grandmother, Bell Blair Hooks. Much of the focus of bell hooks’ writing has focused on the intersectionality of race, capitalism and gender and the perpetuation of oppression through them. Her most famous work, Ain’t I a Woman?: Black Women and Feminism, was published in 1981 where she argued that the convergence of sexism and racism during slavery contributed to Black women having the lowest status and worst conditions of any group in American society.
“She is a prolific author and scholar who has made numerous seminal contributions to the social sciences. Her book Ain’t I a Woman?: Black Women and Feminism was instrumental in challenging white feminism to be more inclusive and discussing the importance of Black feminism. Another book, Feminism is for Everybody, develops not only the theme of racially diverse feminism but also the importance of including men within the feminist movement. We Real Cool - Black Men and Masculinity is also one of the most important books within the field of masculinity studies.
She is an incredibly original and influential thinker who has had great influence within politics, gender studies, social studies, cultural criticism, and literature - she even writes poetry!”
Professor Charles V Hamilton is a political scientist and civil rights leader. He was based at Columbia University from 1969 until 1998 and was one of the first African Americans to hold a chair at an Ivy League university. Hamilton was also a pioneer of the study of Black politics in the United States and is most famous for his book, co-authored with Stokely Carmichael (later Kwame Ture), Black Power: The Politics of Liberation, published in 1967. Hamilton was involved in the civil rights struggle as a student and young academic. He befriended many of the great leaders of the movement: Martin Luther King, John Lewis, and Stokely Carmichael. He also became a consultant for the national Democratic Party and was active in the world anti-apartheid movement, visiting South Africa over one hundred times.
Nominated by: Dr Richard Johnson, School of Politics and International Relations.
“Hamilton’s work was central to my DPhil research on Black candidates competing in predominantly white electorates. He pioneered the concept of ‘deracialisation’, an emphasis on issues with universal reach (such as full employment and universal healthcare) as a strategy of winning elections.
"Deracialisation later became a strategy deployed by African American candidates to appeal to predominantly white audiences and has been credited with the elections of black mayors, governors, senators, and even a president.
Hamilton’s combination of intellectual rigour, strategic astuteness, and political engagement make him one of the most important Black political scientists of the last half century.”
Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964) was an American author, educator, sociologist, speaker, Black liberation activist and one of the most prominent African-American scholars in US history. She was also the fourth Black woman and first woman from the District of Columbia to receive a PhD. Cooper’s book A Voice from the South (1892), developed an early intersectional and international analysis of gender.
The book ranges over a series of issues concerning black women’s position within the US state, and their position within struggles for greater freedom and representation waged by feminist, anti-racist and labour movements. Over the last few decades, Cooper’s work has become increasingly recognised as important and influential for a range of disciplines and fields within the Humanities and Social Sciences, this includes the fields of Sociology, Gender Studies, Feminist Theory, Africana Studies and Education.Nominated by: Professor Kim Hutchings, School of Politics and International Relations.
“Anna Julia Cooper’s work bowls me over. It is so prescient for many of the issues that dominate contemporary discussions around gender, race and coloniality, but it is also far too little read and recognised in my home disciplines of Political and International Theory.”
Deanna Lyncook is a Queen Mary graduate, after studying History and English Literature (2015-2018) and is currently finishing her masters dissertation at the University of Birmingham. Her dissertation, We cannot agree to accept coloured women for service in this country’. Caribbean Women in Britain, 1939 -1990, is part of a masters in Social Research.
Deanna recently launched a weekly podcast called The History Hotline where she discusses events and individuals that have shaped Black history in Britain. As a historian she believes that there is a long way to go in addressing systemic and societal racism however feels that with a decolonised curriculum in both higher and lower education steps can be made towards that. Deanna's other research interests include Caribbean history and literature, and she is particularly interested in the way Caribbean history is influenced by, and influences, British history in the 20th Century.
Nominated by: Professor Dan Todman, School of History.
“There is a under representation of Black historians both in history in the UK as a field and specifically within our School of History itself. We are trying to address this through a wide range of actions, including the implementation of the Royal Historical Society’s recommendations in its report on Race and Ethnicity. Another part of addressing this is to celebrate the achievements of a rising generation of Black historians.
"Deanna graduated from Queen Mary in 2015 and her podcast, The History Hotline, is an excellent example of her latest work. I am in awe of her ability to draw listeners in with her expertise, explanation and delivery. Deanna is an example of a rising star who is making a valuable contribution to the field.”
Professor Nelarine Cornelius is the Associate Dean for Academic Staff Development and Professor of Organisation Studies in Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management. Professor Cornelius’ research is in the areas of social justice, business in society and the evolution of management practices in emerging, fragile economies. She obtained her PhD (on an MRC scholarship) from the University of Manchester and has worked in the areas of management and organisational development at General Motors Europe and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets before entering higher education.
Additionally, Professor Cornelius is an eminent thought leader who holds high-level roles outside the university, serving as Co-Vice Chair of Research and Publications for the British Academy of Management, Vice President of Membership and Professional Development for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and a distinguished member of the prestigious Paris Research in Norms, Management and Law group.
Nominated by: Dr Mustafa Ozturk, School of Business and Management.
“Professor Cornelius is a truly extraordinary academic, who has made a lasting impact on multiple areas of research and practice, and influenced countless students, academics, business leaders, HR practitioners, and organisations through her superb scholarship.
"In a prolific career marked by many amazing achievements, she has published outstanding research in key areas that include equality in organised life, business and society, and management in emerging economies. Professor Cornelius has a keen sense of justice, and she has an exceptional capacity to think about complex problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
"Her richly formed theoretical vision has led her to utilise and repurpose the capabilities approach in a wholly novel, significant and exciting way to work out enduring puzzles and challenges surrounding equality, diversity, and inclusion. Her research has sharpened and expanded our understanding of race and gender issues at work, and she has shaped the field as a leading thinker in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion.
"Her work on corporate social responsibility has been equally deep and impactful, as she has provided powerful and insightful analyses of business organisations’ role in society, and thus shed light on ways of achieving a better, more liveable and sustainable future for us all. Her interest in management ideas, norms, and ways of doing business in emerging economies has brought in new directions and dimensions to our understanding of how business operates in developing country settings, and moved the concerns of people from forgotten geographies to the academic centre stage. She is the rare academic whose works straddle across disciplinary and methodological boundaries, delivering massive knowledge gains along the way.
“As a Black woman academic, Professor Cornelius has inspired, empowered, and supported BAME academics and students tirelessly throughout her career. As a BAME academic myself, I often feel dismayed by the slow pace of progress towards full equality, yet Professor Cornelius’ inclusive leadership gives me that rare glimpse of hope for a fairer society. I know I am not alone in finding continual motivation, succour and courage in Professor Cornelius’ pre-eminent example.
"As I face challenges as an ethnic minority academic at Queen Mary and an ethnic minority citizen in the UK, I feel full of hope as I look to Professor Cornelius. She embodies change, and constantly upholds the possibility of a better world based on the principle of equality for all. She is a beacon of light that helps us believe that the fight for social justice is one that we can win, despite the outsized challenges we face.”
Alicia George is an Events Officer in Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management and joined the University in July 2016. She has worked across a series of conferences, colloquiums, research seminars, away days the annual yearbook project, alumni and student networking events in the UK and overseas. In addition, she manages the School of Business and Management’s student ambassadors, has sat on interview panels, a series of working groups within the school and is the professional services lead for BreakThrough!, a Bangladeshi Women’s Career Group, running a series of regular events including The Women’s Café since 2018.
Prior to joining Queen Mary Alicia worked for the University of West London and has eight years’ experience working in Higher Education events and five years’ experience in Public Relations working on global brands. She holds a BA Hons degree in Journalism from Staffordshire University, a Prince 2 Practitioner certificate in project management and by the end of October will obtain her masters in Event, Design and Management from the University of Westminster.
Nominated by: Dr Ishani Chandrasekara, School of Business and Management.
“Alicia’s contribution to student engagement and staff wellbeing has been remarkable. Since Alicia took over the role we have had so many social events and activities. Alicia makes such a difference to our School. She is an amazing role model to our students and staff and is a pleasure to work with.”