"Racial Discrimination remains a major barrier in UK Education"

Photo by Yan Krukau- Pexels

Dr Sharon D. Lloyd, the new Deputy Director of the Centre for Equity and Inclusion at London Met University says that there is a lack of equity, equality and diversity across higher education.

While giving a talk at her new university in October, Lloyd revealed this evidence-based conclusion to raise awareness regarding the issue.

Lloyd tackles the issue of institutional racism by sharing her daughter's personal experience with discrimination in education. While on a business trip in Shanghai, she received a call from her daughter's school, notifying her that her daughter faced expulsion because her cornrow-styled hair was considered inappropriate.

Years later, a 2023 survey by ‘Black British Voices’ revealed that 80 percent of the 8,236 Black Britons surveyed identified racial discrimination in the education system as the biggest barrier facing young people. An even larger proportion of 89 percent, reported that schools and colleges fail to adequately support the needs and aspirations of Black students.

Lloyd further discusses how ethnic minority students often feel "disenfranchised from the whole experience of being in education because of who they are."

She stresses the importance of prioritising the fight against anti-Blackness and fostering inclusivity within the education system to ensure all students feel valued. Lloyd advocates for systemic change that amplifies marginalised voices, creating a safe and supportive environment where every child can thrive.

Driven by her passion for change, Lloyd teamed up with fashion academics Pascal Matthias and Andrew Ibi to co-found FACE (Fashion and the Arts Creating Equity).

FACE is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to driving transformation in higher education within the arts, design, and creative industries.

Its mission is to champion equity, inclusivity, and unity, with a specific focus on addressing racial, ethnic, and colour-based disparities.