How can we encourage applications from and the retention of Black British PGR (Postgraduate Research) candidates in UK Higher Education? Several factors are recognised in literature as barriers to accessing higher education, which subsequently impact the attractiveness of doctoral-level studentships for Black British students. These factors include widespread experience of racism at university, specifically stereotyping and low expectations of their abilities, the underrepresentation of Black academic staff, and perceived lack of opportunities that are afforded to their White peers, leading to a lower sense of belonging in university spaces and a sense of ‘othering’ or isolation. Whilst we recognise that these factors may also affect Black international PGR students, our focus is on Black British PGR students. Further, the persistence of awarding gaps between White and Black students in gaining ‘good degrees’ in the UK means that Black students are less likely to be awarded the entry requirements for masters or doctoral programmes. Even when Black British PGR students gain entry to doctoral-level study through studentships, attrition rates are higher than their White peers.

Action Research, as a methodology, looks to simultaneously investigate and solve an issue by implementing possible resolutions and evaluating their effectiveness. Our funded Research England/Office for Students project entitled ‘Surrey Black Scholars: fixing the broken pipeline’ took an action research approach to developing and implementing initiatives that centred the Black British PGR student journey aimed at enhancing their experiences and career prospects within the UK Academy. In doing so, we aimed to find solutions to the low recruitment and retention of Black British PGR students. We curated a series of practical institutional initiatives, co-created with Black British PGR students with their needs in mind, to support their experiences as contributors to knowledge and the UK Academy. These initiatives provided racial representation and opportunities to engage in research and employability activities to support their development needs as researchers and building their feelings of inclusion and belonging, thus motivating their retention on their studentship and within the UK Academy.

The impact of initiatives to date has been positive. Since the project’s launch with support from senior leaders for institutional implementation, 25 Black British PGR students have been awarded studentships across three faculties in the university over two years, marking a significant step forward in enhancing access for Black British students in postgraduate research. Initiatives, such as the Surrey Black Scholars representatives’ forum has empowered Black PGR students to shape project direction and influence outcomes, fostering a more inclusive decision-making process. Black British PGR students’ involvement in conference and networking events enhanced their academic experience, profile and skills, and strengthened community bonds, so increasing their sense of belonging. These initiatives are seeing systemic change in our university’s doctoral education and provision to support and motivate Black British PGR students to enter and remain in the UK Academy as future scholars and researchers within the higher education system.

Keywords: Black British students, Postgraduate Research, inclusion and representation, initiatives, recruitment and retention.