About Holding the Space
Holding the Space is a Black-led conference and growing platform that centres Black research, scholarship, and lived experience in Higher Education spaces.
Our mission
To strengthen the visibility, recognition and connection of Black academics and professional services colleagues, and to create opportunities for their work to be spotlighted, shaping institutions, practice and wider public conversations.
Why it was founded
Holding the Space was established in 2025 to address a gap and a well-documented issue in Higher Education. Black academics are frequently called upon to contribute to conversations about race, racism and institutional change, while the scholarship, labour and experience behind those contributions remain under-recognised and/or unrewarded.
The inaugural conference created the kind of cross-institutional space that many people had been navigating academic life without, but very much needed.
From the founder
“I created Holding the Space because Black academics should not have to wait for occasional invitations to be visible or have their scholarship go unrecognised in final outputs. I wanted to create a space where research, scholarship, experience, and ambition could be brought together with care and intention. The work is growing, but its purpose remains clear: to make Black scholarship visible, valued and spotlighted.”
— Dr Yaz Iyabo Osho
What guides the work
- Black scholarship at the centre.
- Care alongside intellectual rigour.
- Recognition of research, scholarship, leadership and labour.
- Connection across disciplines, career stages and institutions.
- Partnership that adds support without diluting the purpose.
Integrity, voice and collective contribution. We create space for Black academics to be heard and connected, and believe in sharing knowledge, opening doors and giving back to strengthen the wider community.
Independence and collaboration
Holding the Space works with institutions and organisations whose mission, values and contributions align with its purpose. Hosting, sponsorship or partnership supports Holding the Space, while responsibility for its name, identity, programme and curatorial direction remains with Holding the Space.