We had an inspiring second stop on the #BeeYourBest UK tour at Leeds University, where Africa Week was in full swing. This event featured a day filled with networking and conferences, and we were thrilled to have Prof. Beatrice contribute to this remarkable occasion.
To provide some context, out of over 23000 professors in the United Kingdom, only 66 of them are black women. The program was an opportunity to be a part of an increasingly growing movement of women in leadership across the globe.
Keynote Talk: Black Female Academics’ Network
Prof. Beatrice was honoured to deliver a keynote address for the Black Female Academics’ Network (BFAN), a global community dedicated to empowering Black female academics in advancing their careers and leadership roles.
“I’m not interested in the past: I’m focused on a vision of where our academics from the global majority and the global minority are heading…”
Prof Lisa Dean Morris
The keynote, titled “Progression: Navigating Academic Pathways and Overcoming Obstacles,” resonated deeply with the audience. During her talk, Prof. Beatrice shared her personal career journey, detailing how she started and how she rose to her current position. She discussed the challenges she faced and emphasized the importance of perseverance for women in academia. She introduced the concept of the “Octopus-Woman,” highlighting the myriad roles that women often juggle—mother, wife, student, teacher, researcher, and more.
Key takeaways from her keynote included:
- The necessity of making tough choices
- Coping with the guilt associated with those choices
- Building and nurturing professional networks
- Handling rejection
- The critical role of youth in the future of research and academia
- The significance of mentors
- The importance of visibility in professional organizations
Panelist Session – Women in Leadership
Prof. Beatrice also participated in a panel discussion chaired by Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris (University of Leeds). The session featured a distinguished group of female leaders, including Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung (Lord Mayor of Leeds elect), Prof. Marcia Wilson (London Metropolitan University), and Prof. Sheryl Williams (Loughborough University).
The panellists discussed a range of topics, from curriculum development to actively addressing systemic biases. Highlights from the discussion included:
- Core values essential for effective leadership
- The concept of self-leadership
- Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into modern curricula
- Overcoming systemic biases faced by women in academia
- Managing cultural burdens
- Tackling the lack of mentorship, resources, and support necessary for career advancement
A Word of Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt thanks to to Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris, Dr. Sally Osei-Appiah, Dr. Kendi Guantai, and the entire team for making this event memorable.
Stay tuned for more on the #BeeYourBest journey across the United Kingdom!
#WomenLeaders #BFAN #AcademicExcellence #BlackFemaleAcademics #BeeYourBest #UKTour #BFANConference
