Equity Led Empowerment for Voices in Academic Transformation and Education
An institutional advocacy, mentorship, and professional development platform dedicated to advancing the career progression and structural inclusion of Black and Mixed Black heritage academics and early-career researchers. Founded on rigorous peer-reviewed insights into institutional barriers, ELEVATE bridges the gap between diversity rhetoric and tangible systemic transformation within higher education and healthcare research environments.
We empower scholars by providing the targeted support structures, pastoral care, and strategic skill-building frameworks necessary to thrive, publish, and secure senior academic appointments, addressing the specific and persistent underrepresentation of Black researchers at every career stage.
These are not Northumbria statistics alone. They are the sector. At every stage of the academic pipeline — from doctoral admission to professorship to research funding — the gap widens. The talent is there. The ambition is there. What is missing is the structure to support it.
ELEVATE Academic Network is that structure.
Peer-reviewed studies on PGR access, racialised awarding gaps, career progression of racially minoritised academics, and LEGO® Serious Play. Published in Human Resource Development International, Equity in Education & Society, and the British Educational Research Journal.
£2.5m Office for Students and Research England funded partnership across five North East universities. Northumbria Institutional Lead. Six funded PhDs, 14 workshops, cross-institutional mentoring network, culturally responsive wellbeing pathway.
Practical equitable admissions guidance published on the national Race Equality Charter resources page and in active use by PGR selectors across the sector.
FRA-funded co-production of workshops and a toolkit with student partners (2025–26, ongoing).
Formal proposal for a Cultural Competence Training Workshop for pre-registration BSc Nursing students, submitted to the Associate Head of School Education.
Ajibade, B. O.
Human Resource Development International
2025Ajibade, B. O., Hayman, R., Oguna, C. & Ackah, M.
Equity in Education & Society
2026Ajibade, B. O., Hayman, R., Hibbs, A. & Gabi, J.
British Educational Research Journal
Fostering peer mentoring circles that pair early-career Black and Mixed Black heritage researchers with established academics, facilitating safe-space professional dialogues, and providing dedicated pastoral care grounded in shared lived experience.
Delivering focused writing-for-publication workshops, grant application clinics, and innovative identity development sessions utilising professional LEGO® Serious Play methodologies, designed around the realities of navigating academia as a Black researcher.
Providing CV and promotion readiness clinics, aligning strategic milestones with Advance HE and the Race Equality Charter, and hosting our annual showcase to amplify the research and achievements of Black and Mixed Black heritage scholars.
Every session ends with clear actions on both sides — mentor and mentee working together towards the next step in an academic career.
One-hour mentoring session
The acronym is the mission: each letter is a commitment that shapes how the network mentors, teaches, and advocates.
Whether you are a Black or Mixed Black heritage academic looking to accelerate your research trajectory, or an institutional leader looking to implement structural transformation that supports Black researchers, follow ELEVATE for event announcements, mentorship cohort intakes, and strategic collaborative resources.
You are a Black or Mixed Black heritage early-career researcher or doctoral student navigating academic life. ELEVATE was built for you. Get in touch to find out how to join the next cohort.
You are an established academic with experience to share and a commitment to equity. Join us as a peer mentor and help build the academic cultures we all deserve.
You lead a university, faculty, or research centre and want to implement structural transformation that supports Black researchers. Let’s talk about partnership.