Union Black: Britain’s Black Cultures and Steps to Anti-Racism has now been relaunched as an eight-hour online course, which features a range of learning methods including discussion forums, reading materials and interactive activities.
Developed in partnership with The Open University and Future Learn, the course was designed in response to Universities UK’s “Tackling racism harassment in higher education” report that highlighted university staff and students still experience racial harassment and exclusion because of their race.
The course aims to provide learners with an understanding of the origins and experience of Black British history, as well as to dispel myths that do not support the anti-racism agenda. It also builds the learner’s knowledge of Black British cultures, microaggressions, why it’s important to be anti-racist, and how to be an ally and bring positive change within your own institution.
In addition to the full Union Black course, new for this year is the option of a one-hour introductory version of the course entitled ‘Introducing Union Black’, which is designed to introduce learners to some of the concepts and learning experiences in the full Union Black course and help build their confidence as a change agent for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
All learners will receive a certificate of achievement upon completion of Union Black which they can add to their CV or share on social media. Individuals who complete the introductory course will receive a statement of participation.
Professor Charlotte Croffie, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Santander Universities UK to bring Union Black: Britain’s Black Cultures & Steps to Anti-Racism to our community. This is part of our ongoing commitment towards becoming a truly anti-racist Institution.
“In addition to this, it is vital that our values, policies, workplace culture and training are underpinned by commitments that progress race equity at Loughborough. I believe engaging with the programme will enable both our staff and students to raise awareness, and build the confidence, capacity and competence (we all need) to tackle racism and racial disparities that still exist within our sector.”
Staff and students can enrol on the course now and it will remain freely available until May 2024.
If you have any further queries regarding the training, please email OD@lboro.ac.uk.
The course is part of Loughborough’s LU Race Equity Strategy to share anti-racist knowledge and skill up the entire university community, and white colleagues and students are particularly encouraged to take part. Navigating these issues may be challenging for some. The Staff Counselling Service is available to all staff, and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic specific counselling is available by contacting Diddy Elliot, Counselling Practice Lead D.Elliott@lboro.ac.uk.