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What is it like to be a Black Woman in Acadamia? Alya Harding Visits Croxley Danes to Share Her Research and Insights

Our newly-formed African Caribbean Society was delighted to welcome Sociology PhD candidate Alya Harding to Croxley Danes School this week, where she shared her groundbreaking research and personal experiences as a Black woman in academia.

Alya began by engaging our students with a thought-provoking discussion on the concept of ‘Home’. She introduced the powerful poem Home by Warshan Shire, a British Somali poet, which explores themes of safety, migration, and belonging. This poem then served as a gateway to discussing the key themes of her PhD research, which include:

  • The hostile environment experienced by migrants

  • The struggle to achieve safety and stability while fleeing domestic abuse or war

  • How the concept of ‘Home’ is shaped by external forces, citing feminist writer bell hooks' idea of "Home as a site of resistance."

Alya also shared the personal impact of her grandmother's experiences as a migrant woman from Sierra Leone, highlighting the importance of Feminised Migratory Flows in her research. She stressed the need to reclaim the narrative of Black womanhood, separate from traditional roles as mothers or wives, and emphasised that Black women are often viewed as frontline workers or ‘helpers’ rather than having their own stories told.

She also explored the idea of the personal being political, giving the example of how individuals’ health needs are impacted by the accessibility of healthcare, such as the difficulty of getting an appointment with a GP in the NHS. Alya noted the challenges faced by Black women in academia, sharing a quote from Dr Azeezat Johnson: “People often retreat from spaces that were not created with my body in mind.”

Alya addressed the academic landscape, noting that UK universities often present a narrow perspective dominated by white, male, and white European viewpoints. She spoke about her own struggles to find PhD supervisors who understood her research and highlighted the ongoing work needed to make academia more inclusive.

Alya offered some invaluable advice to students:

  • Find a community where you feel a sense of belonging and support

  • Document your journey through journals, photos, and emails

  • Be intentional with your time and avoid burnout

Students who attended described the session as inspirational, empowering, and engaging, particularly moved by the poem and Alya’s powerful insights.

Following the success of our first African Caribbean Society event, we would like your help to find speakers. If you or someone you know has an interesting job or story that could benefit our students, please fill out the contact form included in our February 2025 weekly newsletter.

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