Read on Twitter
1/12) I've come to the conclusion that unless @UKRI_News and the new @UKRI_CEO change, it would be kinder for research funders to say "Black people need not apply". The pain in the process is just too much. I will try to explain.
2/12) The COVID research funding came out after we had been watched our friends and family disproportionately become infected and die. As a community over represented in frontline NHS and essential work, they had to deal with the risk whilst carrying on. I wanted to help
3/12) on top of COVID we experienced extreme emotional trauma caused by heightened racial tensions. As Black academics, we were bombarded with people wanting to understand our lived experience & wanting us to do extra work for free to tackle racism - compounding the pain
4/12) Because Black academics are disproportionately on zero hour / insecure contracts. Many Black academics lost employment as universities cut back, which added to their trauma, despite promises from universities stating Black Lives Matter. Our lives didn't seem to matter
5/12)The @UKRI_News research funding seemed like a lifeline. It was offered as way to fill the gaps of the PHE inquiry. It seemed like a lifeline and a way of Black academics utilising their hard fought skills to help their communities. It was like dangling hope before us.
6/12) When I learnt that £0 from £4.3 went to Black academics, that no equality data was Captured & that one person who sat on the assessment panel was also connected to 3 out of 6 awards. I realised how foolish I was to ever have hope of equity or fairness in research or HE.
7/12) I remember when myself & Michelle @MMKingOkoye literally spent all night up writing funding applications with hope. But the more I research @UKRI_News the more I realise how many other Black academics like us had false hope. We never had a chance
8/12) part of my heritage I am most proud of is coming from a long line of individuals who fought for justice. It's in my blood. Despite the history books often ommitting their names Black women in particular have shown that they will keep on fighting for justice despite the cost
9/12) We keep on fighting. Amazing @MMKingOkoye is doing her study on COVID and ethnicity completely unfunded. We still work together, but I've focused on trying to change the system (again without institutional support or funding) via my tiny nonprofit @ladders4action
10/12) 10 Black women rallied to write a collective letter as we all are concerned by knowledge inequity @MissChisomo @DrFuraha_Asani @PaperWhispers @DoulaSmith @docadisa @pwi11iams @RuthAgbakoba @itsJaninebtw @MMKingOkoye
11/12) Despite all that we are doing we still need the help of our allies to keep hope - please read, sign, share the open letter - ask your universities to support - consider writing a letter of complaint to UKRI - join us on 10th Sept to discuss https://knowledgeispower.live
12/12) As we take action we are noting what appears to be a difference of response between how @UKRI_News deals with concerns led by white academics and those led by Black academics. We are asking @UKRI_CEO to take an interest
PS. As mentioned via @ladders4action I am fighting for equity in @UKRI_News completely unfunded. If you want to make a donation or commission me for paid work you can find details on https://ladders4action.org
Thank you here is a direct link to the booking page https://ukri_knowledgeispower.eventbrite.co.uk
