The Black
Inclusivity
CatalystSupporting the Black community to discover their future in STEM and business
The Need to Increase Black Inclusivity
Many Black students in the UK face more barriers to university and life opportunities than their peers, creating an uneven playing field in higher education, career development, and entrepreneurship. We are committed to breaking these barriers and creating pathways for lasting change.
What We Do
Our mission is to advance Black inclusivity by showcasing opportunities for the Black community. Our annual events and programmes empower Black students and professionals to explore pathways into STEM and business, equipping them with the tools to navigate and thrive in their careers.
The Black inclusivity
community
Across the UK, numerous organisations are committed to advancing Black inclusivity in STEM, business, and society. Through scholarships, grants, and training programmes, they provide the Black community with essential skills, support, and career opportunities. We bring these opportunities into one space in our drive to enhance access to support for the Black community. Watch this space for our Black Inclusivity Catalyst organisations and opportunities directory coming soon!
Our Events and Programmes
Each year we run a number of programmes and events that provide a springboard for Black students to discover their future in STEM and business.
Empower
‘Empower – Connecting Black Researchers in the UK’, is an event created by postdoctoral students as part of the Black Inclusivity Catalyst. The event aims to connect Black and Black heritage researchers in the UK. Taking place on Thursday, 29th May from 1 pm to 7 pm at the Imperial’s South Kensington campus, this unique gathering offers a platform to share personal experiences and insights that highlight the challenges and triumphs of academic life.
Black Graduate Careers
Conference
The Black Graduate Careers Conference is an annual event designed for Black students and graduates to connect with employers, develop key career skills, explore postgraduate study options, and learn more about opportunities in STEM and Business. The programme features inspiring talks and practical workshops led by Black leaders from these fields.
R²Frontiers
R²Frontiers is an immersive 10-day project-based experience hosted at Imperial, exclusively for Black heritage UK students studying Biosciences, Computing, Engineering, or Physics. This fully funded scholarship programme offers participants an opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary learning, equipping them with the essential skills to tackle critical global challenges. Through hands-on projects, students will learn to identify complex problems, source and analyse information, and design innovative, impactful solutions, all while building connections and expanding their professional horizons.
Africa Innovates
Africa Innovates is a conference fostering collaboration between Africa-focused Science, Policy, and Education initiatives at Imperial and external partners, with a focus on STEMB. It brings together researchers and decision-makers to showcase Imperial’s work and explore innovative solutions to Africa’s grand challenges.
Imperial BE: Black Founders Challenge Programme
Imperial BE offers a series of events aiming to explore opportunities across industry, academia and entrepreneurship. Working with leading investors and entrepreneurs from across the country, these events provide resources to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. Imperial BE helps students to develop their network, connecting students from the Black community within Imperial and beyond.
Details of our 2026 series of Imperial BE events are yet to be announced. Sign up for our Newsletter to be kept up to date and don’t miss out!
life and study
at ImperialImperial is dedicated to supporting students from the Black community to discover study and career pathways in STEM and business. Find out more about our student experience.
About Us
Founded by a team of Imperial academics with over two decades of experience leading Black inclusivity initiatives, the Black Inclusivity Catalyst is dedicated to increasing Black representation in STEM and business. Through collaboration with organisations and thought leaders from academia and the Black community, we offer resources and innovative solutions to help overcome the challenges faced by Black individuals in these fields.
Outstanding Contribution to Postgraduate Support & Wellbeing
Imperial College London was thrilled to be honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Postgraduate Support and Wellbeing award from FindAMasters in the 2023 Postgrad Awards.
The Black Inclusivity Catalyst received the award for its Black Graduate Careers Conference, Imperial BE initiative to support Black entrepreneurship, and R2 Frontiers: Revolutions in Engineering and Biomedicine Summer programmes.