A seat at the table is not enough: a perspective on Black women representation in academia

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This article is a personal perspective on the double-dose effect of racism and sexism on Black females within the academic system.

I present statistical evidence of the under-representation of this group in academic leadership positions and discuss some factors – systematic and cultural – that have contributed to the low numbers of Black women in academic leadership. The detrimental impact of this under-representation is supported by anecdotes from other Black women in academia. Finally, I propose some practical solutions to increase the representation of Black women in academia through the proactive inclusion of Black women in the design of frameworks and policies targeted to improve racial and gender-based inequality.

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