Welcome to the Outreach Black Student Advisory Board!
About the Board
The Outreach Black Student Advisory Board, first launched in July 2020 and was set up to engage and consult Imperial students in the work the Outreach department and Imperial are doing to increase diversity and inclusion, and in particular, to increase the number of Black heritage students at Imperial.
It also aims to:
- Provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for students to share ideas, challenges, feedback and different perspectives on the landscape affecting Black students.
- Help increase the representation and participation of Black students in Outreach programmes.
- Help to address barriers faced by Black students at Imperial and those interested in pursuing a STEMB degree.
- Encourage Black students to take on leadership roles and gain experience on an advisory board.
- Encourage participation, collaboration and teamwork as we work towards common goals and a shared vision.
Purpose of the Board
Each meeting will focus on one of the following key themes:
Community engagement:
- Helping to foster a sense of community and belonging among Black students at Imperial by advising on tailored events and activities and allocation of the Outreach Seed Fund.
Feedback and improvement:
- Provide feedback on existing Outreach programmes and Imperial initiatives aimed at supporting Black students at Imperial.
- Help us to identify and understand barriers to participation and propose solutions.
Advocacy and awareness:
- Advocate for the needs and interests of Black students at Imperial and those pursuing a STEMB education.
- Raise awareness of and escalate issues affecting Black students at Imperial.
Empower:
- Empower Black students to hold stakeholders accountable for implementing recommendations and addressing concerns raised by the panel.
Applications are now closed and will open in the Autumn 2025.
Why get involved?
Board member Kadija Bangura shares her hopes for the Outreach Black Student Advisory Board.
What motivated/ inspired you to join the Outreach Black Student Advisory Board?
As the Outreach Officer for the African-Caribbean Society and a current Outreach Ambassador, I have witnessed the importance of representation and the impact it creates. I wanted to join the advisory board to contribute to meaningful change by working with students and staff to better support current and prospective students of Black heritage.
What does the OBSAB mean to you? How do you think this opportunity benefits its members and the wider student community?
OBSAB is an empowering community that allows students to take on a leadership role and have a say. This Board benefits members by allowing us to provide our own personal and unique perspectives on our experiences. It provides us with a safe space to represent our peers by sharing our collective ideas, feedback and recommendations on various matters.
What value do you see in being part of an initiative like this?
Participating in this initiative feels rewarding as I can advocate for my peers while simultaneously contributing to the university's mission to increase diversity. I also find that being involved in this initiative allows students like myself to give back to the wider student community knowing that our meetings will lead to an impactful change in their experience as students at Imperial.
What would you like the Board to achieve this year?
This year, I hope the board will be able to address and provide recommendations for key challenges faced by current undergraduate and postgraduate students. I hope we will be able to generate ideas and improvements for further outreach initiatives to support prospective students of Black heritage. We hope our voices will be heard and that our opinions are acted on in the coming years.
More about the advisory board
Membership and meetings
The advisory board will include approximately ten student members. We expect a commitment of one academic year with the option to re-apply.
Alongside the board, there will be an accountability group, consisting of relevant members of Imperial Outreach staff and senior leadership who will be invited to attend and participate.
There will be approximately four meetings a year, from December to June. Each meeting is up to two hours long with lunch provided. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged but meetings will be hybrid if needed.
The advisory board will be co-chaired by Hanna Jama (Outreach) and a student chair.
Paid opportunity
Each board member will be paid an hourly rate (£16.68 per hour including holiday pay) for meetings attended and a higher rated of pay (£20.82 per hour including holiday pay) when co-chairing.
IMPORTANT: In order to apply, you must be a current Imperial student or alumni and have the right to work in the UK.
Representation and diversity on the panel
There will be some recurring positions each year:
- Imperial College Union Liberation and Community Network representative
- Imperial College Union African Caribbean Society representatives – President and Outreach Officer
- Outreach Ambassador
- Outreach Leader
- Former Outreach programme participant
Application process
Can I demonstrate the key skills and attributes needed to be a part of the Board?
This is an opportunity for you to tell us more about yourself, why you are interested in becoming a part of the board, and the skills or experience you have to thrive in the role. Applicants will be assessed based on the answers provided as no interviews will be taking place.
We advise applicants to read the job description carefully, prior to applying and ensure you include details of how you meet the experience, knowledge and skills required.
You don't need prior work experience to apply, but we would like to encourage you to draw on a range of experiences and give specific examples of when you have shown these skills.
We particularly welcome applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Have insight and understanding of the educational experience of school students of Black British backgrounds and the challenges/ barriers they face in accessing HE
- Have experience of attending a state school in the UK
- Have attended any of our Outreach programmes before coming to Imperial
Please complete the online application form using the link provided below.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Students are welcome to share their experiences and insights. Please complete this survey with your suggestions and recommendations.
Membership and Updates
Hear from some of the other Board members and what they hope to achieve this year!
What motivated/ inspired you to join the Outreach Black Student Advisory Board?
Tasha: I am passionate about making sure that everyone in the UK has equal access to Higher Education. A huge part falls under understanding what prevents UK students of Black heritage from applying to HE institutions like Imperial, and what barriers they face. This is essentially the mission of the Board, which is why I was eager to join!
Mary: I wanted to do my part in making sure my community was heard and understood at the university so everyone could experience a sense of belonging during their time at Imperial.
Juliet: I was motivated to join because the Black community has been integral to my academic and social journey at Imperial. I wanted to give back and improve the experience of current and future Black students. Being an Outreach Ambassador, the opportunity to contribute to initiatives such as increasing the uptake of Black heritage students was particularly important to me, and I saw joining the Board as a chance to make a meaningful impact in this area.
Comfort: As the BME Officer, I’m passionate about making sure Black students feel seen, heard, and supported. I joined the board to help create a more inclusive environment and ensure our voices are at the heart of meaningful change.
Micah: I wanted to help Black students feel supported and represented. Coming from an underrepresented background, I know how important it is to see people like you in these spaces.
What does the OBSAB mean to you? How do you think this opportunity benefits its members and the wider student community?
Tasha: For me, it’s an opportunity for us to discuss our experience at Imperial and give feedback – we learn something new in each meeting, and so do the presenters. Talks on what kind of student support is available for us is super helpful, but also provides a platform for us to give our opinion on what works and what doesn’t, i.e. how can new students get the support they need if they are not aware of what support is available at Imperial/how to access it?
Mary: The Board helps to amplify voices that may have gone unheard at Imperial. It particularly provides invaluable insight from students to help better the student experience for students of Black Heritage and others at Imperial.
Juliet: It represents an empowering community that allows students of Black heritage to reflect on their unique experiences at Imperial and have a say in important matters. For the wider student community, the Board plays a crucial role in representing our peers by sharing collective ideas, feedback, and recommendations on various matters.
Micah: It gives Black heritage students a voice and a way to shape Outreach. It helps members build leadership skills while making Imperial a more welcoming place.
Comfort: It’s a chance to help shape how Black students are supported in a meaningful way. Being part of the board means I can use my experiences to push for changes that reflect what students actually need. It also allows me to connect with others who care about making things better.
Chukwuebuka: It's about creating space for Black students to have a real say in shaping their experience at Imperial. It benefits members by empowering them to influence change, while also improving inclusivity and understanding across the wider student body.
What value do you see in being part of an initiative like this?
Mary: What I value the most is that it gives me the chance to truly advocate for my community and change at the university.
Tasha: Initiatives like these are essential for providing feedback on behalf of Imperial’s community of Black heritage students, but also for the development of other support for prospective students, such as African Caribbean Society’s School Talks project as the Board is responsible for the allocation of the Outreach Seed Fund.
Micah: It’s a way to push for real change and improve access for Black students. Working with others who share that goal makes the impact even stronger.
Juliet: It’s extremely valuable as it allows us to learn from past experiences to improve future ones. We play an integral role in educating the wider community while also undergoing self-reflection about our time at Imperial. This initiative is a rewarding way for me and my peers to contribute to the university's mission to increase diversity. Knowing that our meetings will lead to impactful changes is truly invaluable!
Comfort: It gives us the space to speak honestly about the challenges Black students face and do something about them. It’s a way to help improve the experience for future students by making sure our ideas are part of the conversation.
Chukwuebuka: It’s a chance to actively represent my community and contribute to meaningful progress. It allows me to use my voice to challenge inequalities and push for positive, lasting change. And of course, meet wonderful board members too!
What would you like the Board to achieve this year?
Mary: I want to make steps to ensure everyone gets the best out of Imperial regardless of the challenges they may face due to their background.
Tasha: I hope that by the end of this year, the Board is able to identify the main barriers many Black students may face when applying to study at Imperial, especially when it comes to tackling the gender gap in STEM and encouraging Black students with disabilities!
Juliet: I would like to appreciate the experiences at the university which might be different from my own. I want to collaborate with my fellow Board members to drive positive change for current and future students of Black heritage. I would like a cohesive community to be established so that our vision can continue to be impactful year after year.
Micah: Making sure Black students feel seen, heard, and valued once they arrive.
Comfort: I’d like the Board to help push change especially in improving the way support is communicated and accessed by Black students. Whether that’s through clearer signposting, more tailored outreach, or events that create community, I want us to make sure prospective and current students know what’s available and feel comfortable using it.
Chukwuebuka: This year, I’d love for the Board to make tangible improvements in how Imperial supports and celebrates students from underrepresented backgrounds. Whether that’s through policy, events, or support networks, I want everyone to feel like they truly belong.
Hanna Jama, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Outreach Team (MORA), Co-chair
Danielle Russo, STEM Programmes Manager, Outreach Team (MORA)
Kellianne Bartley, Alumni Engagement Officer, Advancement
Demi Corr, Scholarships and Studentships Administrative Officer, Market Insight and Data Team (MORA)
Kadija Bangura, Outreach Officer, African Caribbean Society, Outreach Ambassador, Medical Biosciences student
Mary Ansong, ACS Representative, Outreach Ambassador, Mathematics student
Comfort Oluwakoya, Black & Minority Ethnic Officer, Medical student
Micah, Outreach programme graduate- STEM Futures, Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry student
Tasha Wheeler, Outreach Ambassador, Biochemistry with French for Science student
Yemi Abe, Outreach Ambassador, Design Engineering student
Juliet Benson, Outreach Ambassador, Medical student
Sinai Rhodes, Outreach Ambassador, Design Engineering
Osaruese Egharevba, Medical student
Chukwuebuka Olisaedu, Civil Engineering student
Updates
December 2024: The Student Board held its first meeting, which served as a Welcome and Introduction session.
January 2025: Board members reviewed applications for the Outreach Seed Fund for Recruiting Black Students. Four projects were awarded funding, and these initiatives will be carried out from February to July.
February 2025: The focus of this meeting was on Student Experience, Support, and Transitions and chaired by Mary. Board members shared their feedback and recommendations based on their experiences at the university and these insights will be shared with senior leadership.
April 2025: This meeting, chaired by Chukwuebuka, focused on our Outreach programmes. Board members provided valuable recommendations and feedback on the range of activities we offer. They shared their experiences as students and many as current ambassadors, aiming to enhance our initiatives and better support prospective students of Black heritage we work with.
