The Story and Legacy of Surrey Black Scholars: Reflections from the Evaluation

The Surrey Black Scholars (SBS) programme represented a significant intervention in widening participation at doctoral level, offering not only funded studentships but a broader ecosystem of support, development, and community.

As the programme reached its culmination, its evaluation provided an opportunity to reflect on both its impact and its legacy.

Across the evaluation, one of the most consistent findings was the central importance of access. For many scholars, SBS made doctoral study possible in the first place, removing financial barriers and opening pathways that may otherwise have remained out of reach. Beyond access, the programme created spaces for connection and visibility. Participants described the value of being in environments where Black researchers were present, visible, and able to share experiences in ways that were often not possible within their departments.

At its best, SBS fostered a sense of belonging, confidence, and aspiration. Opportunities such as conferences, newsletters, and development activities enabled scholars to build skills, expand networks, and imagine future pathways within and beyond academia. For some, this included renewed confidence to pursue academic careers, supported by exposure to role models and peers with shared experiences.

At the same time, the evaluation highlighted important lessons. Scholars reflected on inconsistencies in delivery and gaps between expectations and experience, particularly around sustained engagement and programme visibility. These insights were critical, not as critiques alone, but as guidance for strengthening future initiatives.