Supervising Black geography PhD researchers in the UK

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Effective support and supervision are key elements of successful PhD research. However, a recent paper published in the Society’s journal Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers highlights the underrepresentation of Black PhD students and scholars in UK higher education.

“Scholars have documented the relatively low recruitment, low funding, and high withdrawal rates of Black PhD students across all disciplines” says Victoria Ogoegbunam Okoye, the article’s author. “In particular, in geography there is a well-documented need for stronger recruitment and retention of Black PhD students, especially as the discipline pushes for wider representation, including in the development of the field of Black British Geographies, which is becoming more urgent.”

In a report published in September, Victoria offers good practice guidelines based on the experiences of PhD researchers and supervisors, while exploring the impacts of supervision styles and practices on Black PhD students’ recruitment, retention, and success. 

The report is available via the Society’s website, and Victoria’s recent article Black digital outer spaces is available online.

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