Reflections on annual conference internships

^{Some of the interns at AC2021 courtesy of Pat Noxolo}

Last year, we welcomed eight interns, funded by the Antipode Foundation and the Society with support from Black Geographers, to support the 2021 Annual International Conference.

With a range of interests across the discipline, the interns, a mix of undergraduate and master’s Black geography students from higher education institutions across the UK, worked to support the virtual and in person elements of the conference. They will have their academic work and reflections on the conference published in Antipode.

Cynthia Nkiruka Anyadi, from Black Geographers, said, “For Black Geographers, the Fi Wi Road internship grew from a desire to create opportunities that we wished had been available to us as students.  Although building new skills and producing novel research were key aims for the internship, the possibility of bringing together Black geography students from different institutions across the UK, and with very different research interests, was one of the most exciting prospects for the project.

“In a discipline that can often be lonely for Black students, creating spaces for connection and comfort is incredibly important. It was a privilege to work alongside Pat Noxolo, and with support from the Society and the Antipode Foundation, to create something which serves our own community and we’re excited to see how we can continue to do so.”

Throughout their internships the students were each mentored by a member of the Society’s Race, Culture and Equality Working Group and received support from the Black Geographers network. They also attended a writing retreat to support their writing which will be published in Antipode.

The 2021 interns were:

• Britney Assam who is studying geology at University College London and whose main interests lie in volcanology and igneous petrology. She aspires to help develop the use of geothermal energy as an alternative energy source in the Caribbean region.

• David Oliver Mululu Blagden who has recently graduated with a MA in geography from Durham University. His research interests revolve around experiences of multiraciality in people’s intimate lives and exploring how experiences of race emerge through moments and times in place.

• Marvin Tahoulan who is currently studying a master’s in climate change science and policy at the University of Bristol. He is particularly interested in sustainability policy and sustainable development and hopes to gain experience in this field through work as a consultant or researcher.

• Maryam Abdu who is currently studying geography at University College London. A human geographer, Maryam is particularly interested in geographies of care, which she hopes to explore further in her research and final year of university.

• Mateen Sedenu who has recently graduated from the University of Manchester with a BSc in geography. Throughout his course he has engaged with a variety of topics around energy and governance issues, and specialised in the environmental and social impacts of natural resource exploitation in Global South countries, especially Nigeria, where his family is from.

• Olasubomi Tolu-Ogunpolu who graduated with a BSc in geography and economics from the University of Reading. Her interests lie in sustainability and environmental consciousness, and she hopes to conduct further research in order to educate others on the political and socio-economic intricacies of environmental damage.

• Simi Kolajo who recently graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in geography. Her interests lie in exploring the everyday lived experience of socially differentiated individuals, especially experiences in and of the home.

• Sophie Thompson-Hyland who has recently completed her undergraduate geography degree at Keele University. She is interested in postcolonial, cultural and race geographies with a focus on the Black/Mixed-race experience, and hopes to continue her studies with a Master’s and PhD.

This project is one example of how we are using positive action to affect change and work towards a geographical community where all sections of society are represented.

Read more about what we're doing.