Professor Kalwant Bhopal

The University welcomed Professor Kalwant Bhopal to a recent ‘Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with’ event on 9 October. A renowned proponent of Critical Race Theory, Professor Bhopal discussed themes highlighted in her book Race and Education: Reproducing White Supremacy in Britain, opening up a conversation about the purpose and impact of race equality work in higher education, where it can fail, and the conditions required for it to succeed.

As Professor of Education and Social Justice and Director of the Centre for Research in Race and Education at the University of Birmingham, Kalwant’s research primarily focuses on the attainments, achievements and experiences of racially minoritised groups in education. Her latest book focuses on racial inequities in the British higher education system.

During the event, Kalwant explored the issues of gender versus race, the impact of equality charter work and other initiatives and ways for allies to support the fight against racism. There were also questions and contributions from the audience of staff, students and the wider community. Take a look at photos from the event.

Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) said: “I am delighted that Kalwant was able to join us and take us through some important aspects of her book regarding ongoing inequities in higher education. Structural and systemic inequality and barriers to progress are real and current. Kalwant’s analysis will contribute to our ongoing work of addressing these as well as our ambition of exploring different forms of racism and religious discrimination and alternative models for understanding and combatting them.”

About the event series 

Our ‘Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with...’ event series supports our Inclusive Sussex strategy by exploring issues of liberation, equality, diversity and justice with voices from all walks of life, bringing their expertise and lived experiences to the fore.

Sussex has a proud history of welcoming staff and students from the widest range of backgrounds and from all over the world, and in working to create a truly inclusive community that values diversity of identity, background, belief, thought, discipline and method. We continue to strive for Sussex to be a leading example of good practice in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion and a place which welcomes rigorous discussion and debate and where everyone can thrive.

Upcoming ‘Inclusive Sussex: In Conversation with...’ events will be available on the Staff Hub.