Over 988 students have filled in the Black Students' Experience Research Survey

Added on 10/03/2009

The Black Students Experience Survey is part of a research project that aims to understand the different experiences across admissions procedure, attainment, campus life and support networks that black students face. For this reason we are calling on all black students, including international students, to get involved, by filling in an online survey which you can access HERE!

This survey is the first step in a broader project to improve Black students' experience of education - get involved now and help us do this in the future. All survey responses are anonymous but those who provide us with their email address will be entered in a £50 High St voucher prize draw.

If you have any questions about the survey contact please email. Survey closes 30 June.

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NUS Black Students' Conference

Added on 24/04/2009

The Black Students' Conference provides an excellent opportunity for African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean students to come together and learn about the NUS Black Students’ Campaign and its many successful initiatives.

It also the opportunity to allow all Black students to engage in debates on contemporary issues, to network and share information, and to hold the leadership to account for the work we have done.

This Conference will also set the policy which determines the work of the campaign in the year ahead, and elect the next NUS Black Students’ officer and Committee.

Who can attend?

Every college and university can send as many people as it likes. One person can attend as the delegate for FREE. Delegates can vote and speak in debates at the conference. Everyone else will have to come as an observer (observers cannot vote but they can speak in debates at the conference) and will have to be paid for by your students’ union. The charge is £70 per observer from a further education college and £150 per observer from a university.

The registration deadline is approaching, so book your place now.

If you need any help please contact Bellavia Ribeiro

NUS Black Students' Achievers Awards

The Black Students' Campaign has opened nominations for its annual national competition to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals and students’ unions demonstrating exemplary support for Black students across the UK.

The NUS Black Achievers' Awards will be judged in five categories: Students’ Union of the Year; Campaign of the Year; Black Students’ Officer of the Year;Black Student of the Year; Black Students Committee member of the year.

Entries must be submitted on the official application form or by emailing Bellavia Ribeiro

Nominations must be received by 5.00pm on Friday 8 May. All short-listed finalists will be invited to a gala awards ceremony on Saturday 16 May in Coventry.

Award normination form

Waste of space design competition

Added on 02/04/2009

Politicians and celebrities are backing national design competition Waste of Space, in memory of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence

Politicians and celebrities, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Dame Kelly Holmes, David Lammy MP, broadcaster Jon Snow and Apprentice winner Tim Campbell – have expressed their support for a national design competition launched in honour of murdered black teenager, Stephen Lawrence. The winner, from a socially excluded or Black and minority ethnic background, will win an all expenses paid trip to study architecture at Harvard University, USA.

Waste of Space is targeted at 18-25 year olds, particularly those from socially excluded or Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, who have the vision to radically transform a ‘waste of space’ in their local area for the benefit of the community. The most promising contestant will win an all expenses paid, six week trip to study an architecture course at Harvard University, USA, this summer.

Young people aged 18-25 who would like to take part in ‘Waste of Space’ or express interest in attending a workshop in London, Birmingham, Liverpool or Glasgow should visit the architectureforeveryone website

NUS fighting the BNP

Added on 26/02/2009

In the North West the BNP only need a 2-3 per cent swing to their 2004 vote to win a European parliamentary seat. In Yorkshire and Humber the BNP only need an increase of 3 to 4 points. But these are not the only places that the BNP are campaigning. The threat affects all our members and the danger is nationwide.

If the BNP are successful in these elections, and gain a foothold in Europe their presence will be difficult to eradicate as they will have financial support, a European profile and the legitimacy of office. Over the coming months NUS will be campaigning tirelessly to do all we can to ensure our members are not waking up on 8 June 8 to find they are being represented by a MEP from the BNP, BUT NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP.

Has the Macpherson Report made a difference?

Added on 26/02/2009

It’s been ten years since the Macpherson Report was published. The report can be viewed as one of the defining moments of British race relations in the UK. The report by Sir William Macpherson followed an inquiry into the Metropolitan police's investigation of the murder of a black teenager, Stephen Lawrence.

Stephen was an 18-year-old A-Level student and was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack in Eltham, south London, in April 1993. Nobody has been convicted of his murder.

During the period when the Metropolitan police were investigating the murder, allegations of incompetence and racism were made against the officers in charge of the case. The Macpherson Report delivered a damning assessment of the "institutional racism" within the Metropolitan police and policing generally. The Report made 70 recommendations one of which focused on the importance of an increase in the numbers of black and Asian police officers.

Ten years since these recommendations it’s important to see whether this influential report has made a difference within the police force. BBC London’s Home Affairs Correspondent Guy Smith talked to four serving officers about their experiences to see if the Macpherson has made the change it hoped for.

Theses four interviews highlight that changes have been made. For example the number of ethnic minority officers has doubled since the Report. However, it’s still below the Home Office target for 2009. There are also dedicated murder squad teams and family liaison officers, all of which is a direct consequence of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. Despite the positive changes there is still much room for improvement. For example more ethnic minority officers are needed in senior positions and in specialist units.

Read more about the four interviews here .