Black History Month | What's On | The University of Aberdeen

Black History Month

October is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the extraordinary contributions that Black people have made in the UK and beyond. Initiated by American historian Cater G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African Life and History (ASALH) in 1926, it comprises a series of events each October, to promote Black history and acknowledge the achievements of Black people. Observed across the world, Black History Month continues to educate, inspire and motivate millions of people, whilst acting as a catalyst for change.

For more details about our Antiracism Strategy, student and staff groups, resources, and support, please visit our Race Equality webpage.

Join the BHM2024 Planning Group!

We are excited to begin planning for Black History Month 2024 and invite you to join the BHM2024 Planning Group. We are forming a dedicated team to plan and organize BHM2024 events, and your participation is essential to make this year’s celebrations impactful and memorable. If you are interested in contributing to the planning and organisation of BHM2024 events, please email the Race Equality Network (REN) for Staff and PGRs.

Call for Ideas

We also encourage staff and students to share thoughts and suggestions for BHM2024. Your input is invaluable in helping us create events that resonate with our community.

Please submit your ideas by 16 September 2024.

What's On

Race in the 21st Century

24 October 2023, 18:00 - 19:30

This talk will first offer a critique of the tendency to treat critical work on race as the aim to reduce race to other more accepted or preferred categories of analysis. It will then move to some prominent efforts such as intersectionality and social constructivity followed by discussions of critical theoretical, decolonial, and pessimistic considerations.

Find out more

Meet the Authors

25^th October 2023, 10am -11.30am, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Room 224

Join the Gordons for a conversation over tea and coffee, hosted by students for students.

Professors Lewis and Jane Anna Gordon are visiting University of Aberdeen, from University of Connecticut, presenting their work and leading workshops on decolonizing, the politics of race, and racial justice. As the whole university community has been invited to the ‘Race In The 21st Century’ (24th Oct) talk by Lewis Gordon – we want to offer a space for our students to meet the Gordons in a more informal setting.

This event is open to all students regardless of program and level of study. Free entry! For any questions, message us or email ausa@abdn.ac.uk.

Decolonial Research Symposium

As part of the ABDN:365 campaign, we are Inviting the university community to share and discuss their work on the theme of decolonizing: decolonizing research, teaching, and learning in academia. Decolonial activism is widespread in the university, yet we do not often come together to share our work. What are the experiences of our staff and students in engaging with decolonization work, the challenges they experience, and how they envision their work in the future? This event is for people doing the work, for connecting with others in the university, and for people interested to learn more. If you are interested in taking part please complete the form.

Complete the form

Hear From Our Community

Discover Our Networks

Being an Actionable Ally

Union Black

A one-hour course which is designed to introduce learners to some of the concepts and learning experiences to help build confidence as a change agent for equity, diversity, inclusion.

6 Steps to be an Actionable Ally

This Black History Month the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Students;' Forum at the University of Aberdeen has shared 6 steps on how you can become an actionable ally.