Est. 2025 · Black-led · Cross-institutional
Holding the Space
Shining a Light on Black Academics.
A Black-led, cross-institutional conference and growing platform for Black academic scholarship, belonging, visibility, progression, care and institutional change.
In development
Holding the Space 2027
The next conference is in development.
Further details will be published here when they are confirmed, including the theme, date, location, call for contributions, registration and programme.
Welcome
More than occasional visibility.
Holding the Space was created to meet the need for spaces that celebrate and spotlight the Black academic experience, research, and scholarship. Holding the Space offers a sustained space for scholarship, honest conversation, connection, recognition and action. We began as an annual conference and are evolving into a broader platform that connects conference activities, selected year-round conversations, and a growing community.
The platform
A conference. A Praxis Series. A podcast. A community.
01
Conference
Our annual gathering for Black research, scholarship, conversation and connection.
Flagship event
02
Praxis Series
We invite Black scholars and professionals to share their research and scholarship through curated opportunities. Additionally, Higher Education organisations and institutions that support the advancement of Black scholars are encouraged to showcase their work through reflection, dialogue, and practical engagement.
Launching 2026/27
03
Podcast
Conversations extending ideas and voices beyond the conference event.
Coming soon
04
Community
A route to stay connected to opportunities, updates and pursue collaboration.
Open now
Impact so far
2
100+
4.8/5
100%
92%
87%
Launching 2026/27
The Holding the Space Praxis Series
Deepening Black scholarship through reflection, exchange, dialogue and practice.
The Praxis Series creates curated opportunities to deepen scholarship in selected areas beyond our annual conference. It offers space for reflection, exchange, and practice, held online, in person at supporting institutions, or on a hybrid basis.
Coming soon
The Holding the Space Podcast
Conversations on Black scholarship, academic life and what needs to change.
The podcast will extend Holding the Space conversations beyond the conference room. It will bring scholarship, experience, and sector debate into powerful conversations with Black academics, researchers, practitioners, and selected guests, including Higher Education senior leaders and research funding representatives.
Founded with purpose
Our Origins
Holding the Space was founded by Dr Yaz Iyabo Osho in response to a clear gap: the absence of sustained, Black-led academic spaces where scholarship, lived experience and institutional responsibility could be brought into the same conversation. The work remains founder-led and develops through carefully selected collaboration.
News, writing and updates
News, writing and reflections from Holding the Space will appear here as they’re published.
Be part of what comes next
Holding the Space is entering its next phase.
We welcome interest from scholars, professional services colleagues, speakers, institutions, publishers, funders, professional bodies and organisations that want to contribute to or support the work.
Supported and sponsored in 2026 by
Sponsor and partner names shown by year and activity supported. Sponsorship of one conference does not imply continuing partnership.
Stay connected to Holding the Space.
Join the mailing list for conference, Praxis, podcast and community updates.