A former Lancaster University student hopes to make an impact during Black History Month when she returns to her old stamping ground in her new role as Honorary Research Associate in the History Department.
Sofia Akel, who graduated with a degree in History from Lancaster in 2016, is an award-winning cultural historian, producer, creative consultant, writer, host and lecturer specialising in Black British History.
She is all set to speak about her life and her work at two events towards the end of October - Black History Month which, this year, celebrates with a theme of Saluting our Sisters.
Sofia's events include an in-conversation session on October 23 and a lecture on October 24.
The interactive session on October 23 will begin with a conversation between Sofia and Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere, who graduated with a degree in History and Politics in 2023, and is now an MA student in the University's Politics, Philosophy and Religion Department
The discussion will reflect on Sofia's career so far, from student campaigner, her past and current research, and her work on music videos and documentaries.
Participants are welcome to attend and be part of a larger discussion with Sofia and Emmanuel.
During the Lecture on October 24 Sofia will introduce a Black British studies module, Creativity, Resistance and Joy in the Capital, that she created and taught at a London University.
Staff and students are invited to learn more about teaching that centres race, community learning and care.
This session is designed to inspire lecturers to reflect on their teaching and to empower students to demand more from their educational experience.
""I'm really excited to be returning to Lancaster as an Honorary Research Fellow," says Sofia. "Over the years, a love of history has underpinned much of my work in both academia and the creative industries.
"I hope that through this appointment I can share new ways of teaching and researching that centres community and care, building on a long tradition of knowledge sharing in Black communities."
Black History Month 2023 offers a significant opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements of black women by focusing this year on a theme of 'Saluting our Sisters', honouring the matriarchs of movements and emphasising the vital role black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.
