Author Archives: Ronke Adeyemi

Screening of Black Panther

On Tuesday 20 October at 19:00 we are hosting a screening of Black Panther. The screening will take place at The Gulbenkian Cinema and a panel discussion will take place afterwards.

On the panel will be Aldo Manella – Vice President for Student Engagement for Kent Union, Stephen Kamara – 2019-20 BAME Network Chair for Kent Union and Maurizio Cinquegrani – Senior Lecturer in Film for the School of Arts.

Black Panther is an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character. It’s a movie about what it means to be Black in both America and Africa—and, more broadly, in the world.

Rather than dodge complicated themes about race and identity, the film grapples head-on with the issues affecting modern-day black life. It has been lauded as the first mega-budget movie to have a Black director and predominantly Black cast.

Its themes challenge institutional bias, its characters take unsubtle digs at oppressors, and its narrative includes prismatic perspectives on black life and tradition.

Please head to the Kent Union website for more information.

Kent WebChat for commuting students and online learners

The next Webchat takes place on Thursday 15 October at 15:30 and it is aimed at our commuting students and online learners.

The talks will cover topics such as how to access resources and support for online learning, plus how to maximise your education and experience as a commuting student.

We will have some brilliant students taking part in the talk, who are studying online internationally and/or commuting. They will be sharing their real experiences of what it’s like to commute, or study online/remotely.

You can book place here.

If you’d like a WebChat on another theme, then just let us know and we’ll set one up. Suggestions can be mailed to directorstudentservices@kent.ac.uk.

Screening of Hidden Figures

In celebration of Black History Month, the Student Success team are inviting students from the Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences to a screening of Hidden Figures. The screening will take place on Monday 19 October at 18:00 at The Gulbenkian.

This inspiring film shares the untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three African-American women working at NASA as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history, the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. It went on to receive numerous awards.

Please head to the Kent Union website for more information.

Black Women in STEM

On Tuesday 27 October at 12:00 we are hosting an event about Black Women in STEM. This event is part of Black History Month and will feature a talk from exceptional Black women and students in STEM aka Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It will also address young Black women in academia, who want to pursue a career in the field.

Black women in the UK are among the most underrepresented groups in STEM, but according to research, they are more likely to feel like they belong in the field if they have access to black female role models.

There has been various initiatives set up to encourage Black women to get into this area, such as STEM Learning which is the largest provider of education and careers support. They are dedicated to raising young people’s engagement and achievement in STEM subjects and careers.

For more information, please head to GKSU’s website.

Launch of the Expect Respect module

Here at Kent, we want to make sure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Therefore, we have taken a few proactive steps to ensure you are well informed and know about the support available. Next Monday we are launching the Expect Respect module.

The Expect Respect module is a compulsory module for all registered students at the University of Kent, regardless of what you are studying or whether you are an undergraduate and postgraduate student.

The module outlines the behaviours we expect of you whilst you are with us as well as what you can expect from both the University and Kent Union (your Student Union), and also digs deep into issues of racism, bias, sexual harassment and consent. It challenges you to think about your own behaviour, the way you interact with others and the impact this could be having on someone else’s experience.

The module will also make you aware of how to report any incidents to the University so that you, or the student affected can access the right support, and will also make you aware of the wide range of different support services available to you depending on your needs.

You can find the Expect Respect module on Moodle (code DP6636) – you should be automatically enrolled but if you have any issues please get in contact with Becky Lamyman on R.S.Lamyman@kent.ac.uk.

CanterBAME podcast series

CanterBAME is an award-winning podcast series hosted by four amazing, intelligent and opinionated Black and Asian women. Dammy, Nisha, Omolade and Blessing explore the student experience from a Black and Asian perspective. They cover topics such as SPAC, dating, relationships, marriage, sexuality and self love and self care.

You can revisit this podcast series for a fresh take on being a CanterBAME student.

Black History Month is a yearly event that celebrates the achievements of Black people in the UK. The university in conjunction with Kent Union are celebrating Black History Month by hosting various activities over October.

Black History Month reading list

Celebrate Black History Month by delving into the various reading lists that covers Black lives and the contribution Black people have made over the years.

Black History Month Reading List

A list of books compiled by Student Services, Information Services and Kent Union which includes classic and modern, fiction and non-fiction, from all over the world which explore what it means to be Black both historically and in the world today.

Decolonise Kent Reading List

This is a reading list by students from the Decolonise the Curriculum project who conducted research by engaging with the students from various schools around the campus.

Social Justice Reading List

A list of books that cover social justice.

Black Thought and Culture

This is a landmark electronic collection of approximately 100,000 pages of non-fiction writings by major American black leaders, teachers, artists, politicians, religious leaders, athletes, war veterans, entertainers, and other figures – covering 250 years of history.

What’s on this week – w/c 5th October

To welcome you to Kent we have a wide range of events to help you settle into campus and your courses. These are the events taking place this week.

5 October

Wellbeing Cafe – Online – 15:30

Meet with other students online for mental health support, games and creative pursuits.

Social Run – Canterbury – 17:00

Kent Sport are leading runs across the campus.

6 October

Reading and note taking – Online – 13:00

A session that equips you with tips on how to take effective notes.

7 October

Critical Analysis – Online – 13:00

This session covers critical analysis

Study Plus – Dealing With Conflict – Online – 15:00

A session on how to deal with conflict.

8 October

Giving a presentation – Canterbury – 13:00

Tips on how to deliver great presentations

Social Run – Canterbury – 17:00

Kent Sport are leading runs across the campus.

9 October

Welcome Back student webchat – Online – 09:00

A webchat for all students offering held and guidance to ensure a smooth start at Kent.

Reading and note taking – Online – 13:00

A session that equips you with tips on how to take effective notes.

Office Lockdown Escape Room

The Office Lockdown Escape Room is a fun game that you can play with your housemates. The idea is that you come up with an awesome name for your team and see how fast you can solve the clues to beat the clock.

The escape room will be available today, 18th, 21st, 24th and 25th September between 10:00 and 16:00.

Prizes are awarded for best team name, fastest and slowest groups. The maximum team size is six and they must be from the same household.

Please note each member of your household will need to book their ticket individually for the same time session, any problems email CCLTeam@kent.ac.uk

Each team member needs to apply for their own ticket from the Eventbrite link below https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/office-lockdown-escape-room-tickets-120397444999

University of Kent shows support for trans communities

The University of Kent is one of many organisations who are standing up for trans equality. Yesterday, in solidarity with Stonewall, 136 major UK companies came together in a show of support for trans communities.

This campaign has been created in response to the Government’s legislative action that will negatively impact the lives, safety and careers of trans individuals. A few months ago, the government scrapped long-overdue plans to allow trans people to self-ID.

Stonewall is Britain’s leading lesbian, gay bi and trans equality charity. The University has added its name to a public statement to say trans rights are human rights, and highlight our support for trans colleagues, employees and customers.

As part of the campaign, many of these organisations have also written to the Prime Minister directly to call on the UK Government to honour its commitment to protect trans people’s rights and reform the Gender Recognition Act.