100 Black Women Professors NOW
It's time to change the status quo, for good.
A sector-leading, multi award-winning systemic change programme, delivering results
There has been significant gender equality progress in the higher education sector.
But the data shows that Black women are being left behind. In 2018, there were only 25 Black women professors in the UK, compared to 12,500 white men.
At WHEN, we decided it was time to change this. We designed, piloted and launched a truly sustainable and systemic approach that would deliver lasting and meaningful change.
A specific approach that is unblocking a major talent pipeline
100 Black Women Professors NOW is WHEN's pioneering programme that is increasing the number of Black women in the academic pipeline. Since we began this work in 2021, the number of Black women professors has today more than doubled. We provide equity of opportunity while dismantling the deep-rooted barriers that are preventing gender equality from being our current reality by:
- Supporting Black women academics with career coaching, sponsorship, mentoring, community building and much more
- Working directly with each Black woman academic's line manager plus members of the University's most senior leadership team, including the Vice-Chancellor, to improve understanding, engagement and dedicated action that results in genuine cultural change
What makes this approach to change unique:
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An exclusive focus on the most under-represented and disadvantaged group - Black women: those of African diaspora who represent less than 0.2% of the UK professoriate
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The first and only sector-wide initiative that speaks to the issues and recommendations from the ‘Staying Power’ report, based on research with 80% of Black women professors
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Access to peer groups from multiple universities to facilitate cross-institution learning and accountability
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A focus on systemic change and action, requiring deep commitment and engagement from three major stakeholder groups: institutional leaders; line managers; and the academic cohort
2027 Programme: Expressions of Interest Now Open
The programme runs annually from January to December. We’re now inviting expressions of interest for the 2027 cohort — if your university is ready to take part, complete the form and our team will be in touch to discuss how you can get involved.
What do people say about this programme?
100B is changing women's lives, and helping universities turn rhetoric into reality.
Kendi Guantai, now a Professor and PVC at the University of Lancaster:
"Before I joined the first cohort of 100B in 2021, I was on my way out of the academy."
Professor Sir Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of West England, called his university out for being institutionally racist under his own leadership.
Here's what happened next.
Dr Paulet Brown-Wilsher, Senior Lecturer and also now Director of Education and Experience University of East London:
“100B, aimed at amplifying the voices and visibility of Black women in academia, was central to my transformation.”
