SAGE partners on initiative to improve black representation in academia

Publisher SAGE is partnering with the Leading Routes initiative, which supports black students and encourages them to move through the PhD route and into employment as academics.

SAGE will support three of Leading Routes' "Black in Academia: Staying the Course" events next year. The events, to be held in cities outside London, aim to celebrate BAME achievement in higher education and further the conversation about the representation and experiences of black students and staff in universities in the UK. Fewer than 150 of the 19,000 professors in the UK are black.

Kiren Shoman, SAGE's vice president of Editorial Pedagogy, said: “For research outputs to thrive and have lasting impact, we firmly believe that it must come from a body of researchers that reflect the diverse make-up of society. However, the levels of people from BAME backgrounds working in academia remains severely low. We’ve been inspired by the work of Leading Routes to address this widespread and deep-rooted problem and are pleased to be working with them on this series of events.”

Leading Routes founder Paulette Williams said: “Our work to support the next generation of Black academics could not be possible without input and support from actors across the scholarly community, from publishers and learned societies, to universities and student groups. A highly-regarded, independent, mission driven publisher of academic literature, we’re delighted to be working with SAGE as we continue to address the challenges faced by students and academics from African Caribbean backgrounds.”