Dive into the intricate narratives, lived experiences, and professional trajectories of women of colour within the realm of British academia. Unveiling a landscape dominated by the forces of whiteness and patriarchy, this book illuminates the resilience and strategies employed by women of colour in their pursuit of survival and success. Through candid reflections, contributors navigate the intersections of race and gender, exposing the pervasive manifestations of racism, from subtle microaggressions to overt discriminatory practices. These compelling autoethnographies traverse themes of visibility and invisibility, exclusion and belonging, offering profound insights into the complex realities of intersectional experiences.
A compelling resource for students, educators, institutions, and advocates of equality, this book serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for diversity and inclusion within academic spaces. Whether you’re a scholar, activist, or simply an ally, this work invites readers to engage deeply with the challenges and triumphs of women of colour in academia.
And don’t miss the sequel, ‘Transforming the Ivory Tower: Models for gender equality and social justice’ (2020), which further explores pathways toward gender equality and social justice within academic settings.
Author Backgrounds
Deborah Gabriel is a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University in the Faculty of Media and Communication.
Shirley Anne Tate is the first Professor of Race and Education at the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett University.
Perspectives of the Book
This book masterfully intertwines analytical, affective, and political dimensions in a compelling exploration of race and racism within academia. Its emphasis on intersectionality, particularly on women’s experiences, renders it indispensable for scholars and students navigating the racialized landscape of the British academy.
In the shadows of the Ivory Tower, the testimonies of women of colour have often been overlooked, relegated to anecdotal evidence rather than recognized as valuable insights into structural exclusion. This timely volume sheds light on the stark realities behind the metrics of under-representation, offering nuanced narratives that empower individuals to navigate the entrenched systems of privilege within higher education.
Amidst the dominant narratives of racialized patriarchies, dissenting voices within academia challenge the status quo. This groundbreaking collection amplifies the marginalized female perspective, exposing the tensions between gender disparities and entrenched power dynamics. While the academy may resist change, the voices of Black women academics demand recognition, challenging the myth of educational meritocracy and calling for greater intellectual and political inclusivity.
Listing of Chapters and Sections within the Book
CONTENTS: Introduction, by Deborah Gabriel; 1. The accidental academic, by Josephine Kwhali; 2. Overcoming objectification and dehumanization in academia, by Deborah Gabriel; 3. ‘One in a million’: A journey of a post-colonial woman of colour in the White academy, by Heidi Safia Mirza; 4. How do you feel? ‘Well-being’ as a deracinated strategic goal in UK universities, by Shirley Anne Tate; 5. Inclusive ideals are not enough: Academia does not empower Black women, by Ima Jackson; 6. Reflecting on a journey: Positionality, marginality and the outsider-within, by Claudia Bernard; 7. The struggle to find a voice on Black women’s health: From the personal to the political, by Jenny Douglas; 8. The search for that elusive sense of belonging, respect and visibility in academia, by Marcia Wilson; 9. The transformation of my science identity, by Elizabeth Opara; 10. Reclaiming freedom beyond the glass ceiling to transform institutional cultures, by Aisha Richards; Conclusion, by Deborah Gabriel; Index
