In June 2024, interns from the School of Physics and Astronomy attended the James McCune Smith (JMS) Annual Conference at the University of Glasgow, a high-profile event bringing together inspiring academic speakers from the Black Community.
Marketing and Communications Summer Intern, Tobi, shares his experience at the conference.
Building bridges
The JMS Conference, first held in 2021, offers a platform for early-career Black PhD students to engage with established academics providing opportunities to gain valuable insights on how to navigate academic spaces and implement lasting changes.
Despite notable progress in academia, Black scholars continue to be significantly underrepresented across UK higher education, and are even more underrepresented among postgraduate research students making up less than 5% according to HESA (Higher Education Student Data).
The conference was hosted by the University of Glasgow’s James McCune Smith Scholars.
Academic excellence and cultural diversity
Notable conference speakers included Dr Francesca Sobande, Digital Media Studies Lecturer and author of ‘Black Oot Here’, as well as Professor Jason Gill, Professor of Cardiometabolic Health and fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
JMS scholars gave presentations of their postgraduate research, which ranged from topics such as Climate Change to Designed Mimics of Protein Interfaces, to Autism Within the Black Community.
A presentation was given on Creole Cuisines, and attendees were able to taste some of the cuisine mentioned at lunch, and participants were immersed in a vibrant event that blended academic research with a diverse mix of African dance, audio recordings and drumming.
One of my highlights was a fireside chat with Dr Adetunmise Dada, a lecturer in Optics for the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow. He discussed his journey to becoming a physicist in Nigeria and how it led him to postgraduate research and work in the UK, specialising in Quantum Photonics. Dr Dada is also the creator of ‘The Science Show with Dr Dada’ on Jambo Radio. Started during lockdown, the show explores everything in the realm of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it has seen support from the IoP (Institute of Physics) and the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The conference concluded with a wonderfully delivered closing statement by Dr Dwayne Spiteri, an honorary research fellow with the School of Physics and Astronomy from the University of Glasgow.
Inspiring the next generation
I spoke with fellow student and intern of the School of Physics and Astronomy in the University of Edinburgh, Lewis McNeil, and he stated:
“Attending the JMS annual conference was an enriching experience. One highlight was Professor Gill’s presentation, where he pointed out that there are just over 200 Black professors among the more than 23,000 employed in the UK. It made me acutely aware that my career path is part of a broader movement toward greater representation and equity. This reinforced my understanding that my academic journey is not solely for personal advancement but also for the betterment of those who came before me and those who will follow. Motivated by the examples set by Professor Gill and the other scholars, I am more determined than ever to serve as a role model for future generations of academics.”
Overall, the James McCune Smith Annual Conference was an inspiring and enriching experience that emphasized the importance of representation and equity in academia. The event provided a platform for Black scholars to share their research and connect with established professionals.
Highlights included insightful presentations, interactive sessions, and engaging cultural activities, all of which underscored the significance of diversity in higher education. Inspired by the achievements of speakers like Dr Adetunmise Dada and Professor Jason Gill, we left the conference with a renewed commitment to advancing representation and serving as role models for future generations of academics.
Learn more
Find out more about the 2024 JMS Conference: JMS Conference
