An Update on Black Lives Matter

An Update on Black Lives Matter

by Alessio Compagnino -
Number of replies: 0

Dear All,

Behind the scenes, we have ensured that changes have been made to develop and better our organisation in relation to the BLM movement as solidarity can only get us so far. We must ensure we are actively fighting for a better, safer and more inclusive culture. Steps we have taken:

  • Put out a public statement on our website about how we intend to practically tackle issues as an organisation.
  • A workshop has been created taking place on 23rd July ‘A black existential philosophical perspective’ run by Dr Jackie Sewell - soon to be followed by more workshops organised by Dr Nancy Hakim Dowek.
  • Dr Claire Arnold Baker is gathering resources for a special Moodle section on diversity.
  • Prof Emmy van Deurzen has just put the deputy mayor’s office in touch with two of our staff members who are going to be part of a roundtable with Deputy Mayor, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, on the Experience of the Healthcare system for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in London.
  • We have appointed two experts to work on our module on ethnicity and religion for the new MA in Diversity.
  • We are in the process of setting up a working group including staff and student voices in the Black community to help generate ideas on how to move forward.
  • We re-worked the year 1 Existential Theory module to include Black existential philosophers, such as Frantz Fanon, but also included existential philosophers from around the world to give a more diverse view of existential philosophy.
  • We have created a project ‘Black Mental Health Matters’ to provide an emotional support service to cater to those who are struggling emotionally during this uncertain and challenging time in the Black community. 


Alessio Compagnino (alessio.compagnino@nspc.org.uk)

on behalf of NSPC