Navigating Institutional Racism in British Universities

This book critically examines the experiences of racism encountered by academics of colour working within British universities. Situated within a critical race theory and postcolonial feminist framework, Sian thoughtfully centres the voices of the interviewed academics, and draws upon her own experiences and reflections through a critical auto-ethnography. 

Navigating Institutional Racism in British Universities unpacks a range of complex and challenging questions, and engages with the way in which racial politics in the academy interplay and intersect with gender. The book presents a textured narrative around the various barriers facing academics of colour, and enhances understandings of experiences around institutional racism in British universities. Alongside its conceptual and empirical contribution, it develops a series of practical recommendations to encourage and facilitate the active participation of academics of colour in British universities. 

“In the wake of student cries to decolonise and the scandal of endemic racism in higher education, there can be no better time for Katy Sian’s powerful forensic analysis to enter the stage, bringing clarity, wisdom and hope to the many people of colour who strive to survive ‘in the heart of whiteness’ that is the British academy.” (Heidi Safia Mirza, Professor of Race, Faith and Culture at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK. Co-editor Dismantling race in higher education: Racism, whiteness and decolonising the academy)

“White supremacy finds expression in multiple ways; sometimes it screams from the barrel of a gun, at other times it operates through the hidden business-as-usual routines of everyday life that constantly exclude, oppress, belittle and do violence to people of colour. Sian’s book fearlessly documents and challenges the racism that lies at the heart of British universities. This is a passionate, complex, and conceptually nuanced book that exposes the multiple ways in which racism defines higher education and offers practical steps in shaping the changes that must happen.” (David Gillborn, Director of the Centre for Research in Race & Education, University of Birmingham, UK. Editor of ‘Race Ethnicity and Education’)

“This is an outstanding book which resonates with my own survival in the academy.  Katy Sian brilliantly excavates and exposes the hidden operations of racism through Critical Race Theory story-telling of racially marked academics and the epistemic violence they endure on a daily basis.  This book is essential reading for White senior and middle leaders in British universities.  The question remains, will they read it and act to change practice within their own university?” (Vini Lander, Professor of Race and Teacher Education, University of Roehampton, UK)

“In this groundbreaking and thought provoking book, Katy Sian explores and examines the persistence of racism in British universities. She carefully documents the realities of daily life for black and minority ethnic academics working in higher education. Offering a set of important recommendations, this book is crucial for those interested in challenging discriminatory cultures. A timely and courageous intervention.” (Richard Burgon MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds East, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor, UK)

Katy P. Sian is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of York, UK.