Black STEM Hub

At a glance: What you need to know

What is the Black STEM Hub?
A community and support hub for Black students in STEM at The Open University.

Who is it for?
Black students across all STEM disciplines.

Why does it exist?
To improve student experience, representation, belonging, and progression for Black students in STEM.

What does the Hub do?
Runs events, builds community and confidence, reduces isolation, listens to feedback, connects students with resources and opportunities, and turns interests into progression.

How can I connect?
Visit the Get in Touch page.

Launched in January 2025, the Black STEM Hub is a dedicated space created by and for Black STEM students at the Open University. The main aim of the Black STEM Hub is to help Black STEM students feel a sense of belonging within the faculty. Building a community among students is one way to achieve equitable outcomes and address the university's awarding gap between white and Black students. This work supports the OU’s Access and Participation Plan, which is designed to ensure that students from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds have equal access to opportunities and success. It also meets the requirements set by the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England.

This initiative was born out of a collaboration between passionate students and faculty who recognised the importance of building a community for Black STEM students studying at the Open University.

Whether you're just starting your degree or deep into your final project, the Hub is here to help you along your journey, amplify your voice, and support your success. We know that studying STEM online can sometimes feel isolating, and we also know that being a Black student in these fields comes with unique challenges and strengths. We’ve been there ourselves.

That’s why we’ve built this space to do more than just inform. Through monthly community sessions, we aim to create a vibrant and inclusive network that helps you feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.

We’re not static — we’re growing, evolving, and listening. Your feedback, ideas, and energy are what keep this space alive. Let us know what you’d like to see here: resources, events, discussions, collaborations — it’s yours to shape.

You belong here. You matter. And your STEM journey deserves to thrive.

Statistics

0.3 in 5 STEM Students are Black. Source: BB STEM
Black individuals are underrepresented in academic positions. As of 2018/19, only 1.7% of academic staff in STEM were Black, despite Black people comprising 3.4% of the UK population. Furthermore, just 3.5% of Black academic staff held professorships, compared to 11.9% of white staff. Source: BBC