A presentation on one of Northampton’s black icons is just one of the highlights of University of Northampton’s (UON) annual racial justice conference next month.
A two-day conference, entitled Race in Action: Power, Partnership and Change, will bring together academics, professional services staff, students, practitioners and community partners committed to advancing racial justice in education and wider society at UON Waterside Campus on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 July 2026.
On Day One, leadership and personal development speaker Ollie Wanjohi will present Beyond Representation: The Leadership Lessons of Walter Tull – a professional footballer at the turn of the 20th century and Britain’s first black officer to lead soldiers into combat.
The conference, co-hosted by UON’s Centre for the Advancement of Racial Equality (CARE), in collaboration with the University’s Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) Staff Network, has been designed to explore:
- how power is understood, negotiated and challenged within institutions and communities,
- what meaningful partnership looks like across different roles, identities and sectors, and
- how collaborative action can create sustainable and transformative change.
The conference programme features keynote speakers, research presentations, workshops and discussions focused on anti-racism, leadership, education, community engagement and social justice.
Other keynote speakers include:
- Professor Gurnam Singh (University of Warwick), speaking on Anti Racism, the Far-Right and the Weaponisation of White Identity Politics
- Yvette Thomas MBE, Buckinghamshire Council Head of Education Achievement
- Emmanuel Gotora, Assistant Director at Citizens UK
The conference will also showcase contributions from University of Northampton speakers and researchers including:
- Kamarl Gabriel-Wilson, presenting A Personal Story: Decolonise the Curriculum
- Helen Tiplady, presenting GEMs of Advice
- Dr Angela Charles, presenting research on Black Women in Prison: Exploring the Intersection of Race and Gender in Experiences of Imprisonment
Confirmed this week His Excellency Dr Alexi Otti, Governor of Abia State, Nigeria will also be attending and speaking on Day Two.
Dr Emel Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Education and CARE Co-Lead, said: “At a time when issues of race, equality and inclusion remain critically important, this annual conference creates a space for researchers, practitioners, students and community partners to come together, share knowledge and challenge inequities through collaboration and action.
“We are especially proud to showcase the breadth of expertise and lived experience within the University of Northampton community, alongside influential external speakers and partners committed to advancing racial justice.”
The event will conclude with a networking reception and presentation commendations on Thursday 2 July.
CARE was established to advance research, learning, teaching and knowledge exchange related to race, ethnicity, racial inequality and positive social change.
Through partnerships with researchers, policymakers, activists and community organisations, CARE aims to promote greater public understanding of racism and intolerance while supporting collaborative action for change.
The conference is open to anyone who would like to attend after registering via Eventbrite.