The second Holding the Space conference brought around 120 delegates from across higher education in the UK and internationally to the University of Westminster.
Black Scholarship, Global Futures centred scholarship, lived experience and practice across disciplines and career stages, asking what becomes possible when Black scholarship is properly recognised and supported.
Gallery
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Programme
Stephen Bunbury delivered the opening keynote on strategic survival and progression for Black male scholars.
Professor Jason Arday closed the formal programme with a keynote on Black scholarship and the future of higher education.
Parallel papers, panels and posters explored pedagogy, academic identity, migration, institutional power, wellbeing, healing, belonging, health and the politics of knowledge.
Impact
4.8/5
100%
92%
87%
Supporters and sponsors
The 2026 conference was hosted at the University of Westminster through CETI, with support and sponsorship from Black History Year, GEMWA, Bloomsbury Publishing, the Society for Research into Higher Education and Sketchnotes UK.
What comes next?
The response to the 2026 conference strengthened the case for continued Holding the Space activity beyond the annual event. Further activity will be announced as it is developed and confirmed.