About Teaching Within

Shades of Noir (SoN) ‘Teaching Within’ TW programme is a proactive academic progression intervention that aims to support a diverse group of change-makers who continue to demonstrate that they place social justice at the heart of their teaching practice. This programme evolves recruitment, attainment and progression of under-represented people of colour as well as non academics of colour who have successfully completed and are furthering their knowledge in anti-racism and social justice training. This programme was created in 2015 by Aisha Richards in collaboration with SoN and has been delivered across all 6 different colleges within the University of the Arts London (UAL). This programme responds directly to ‘The Research and Teaching Careers Pipeline’, a key strand of the Race Champion Forum project strands for those who are ‘Aspiring Academic Graduates’, and ‘existing staff not in an academic role but have a degree in a related subject’. The programme which has been successfully running for 3 years is currently preparing to welcome its 4th cohort this year.

The aims of this programme are to build on previous and existing programmes that set out to support a full cycle of development, value cultural currency and create opportunities for non white academics and for white academics who have successfully completed Shades of Noir specialist in house training in anti racism, allyship, mentoring and wish to continue to improve their skills in social justice.

Through this programme we:

• Increase the presence of Lecturers and Associate Lecturers of colour. • Build further the relationships with the marginalised community of existing staff of colour. • Support alumni and staff of colour to develop and become part of the academic community. • Enable non staff of colour to be part of levelling the playing field. • Support white Shades of Noir graduates in developing further their commitment to anti racism and social justice activities.

“University of the Arts London (UAL), implementing the Shades of Noir’s Teaching Within programme from the most senior level, is something I take pride in, as both an academic within this institution and alumni. This unique programme is transformative, however not without its challenges. Nothing good comes easy. Shades of Noir is committed to social justice and anti racism.

The investment in this programme by UAL has already affected not only the Teaching Within participants’ lives and their futures, but also have a long lasting cultural and pedagogical effect on this institution, its staff, students, as well as the sector.

Aisha Richards, Shades of Noir Director and Teaching Within Programme Creator