Spaces of Possibility or Sites of Reproduction? B.A.M.E Academics and the Promise of Alternative Higher Education in the UK

Abstract

Guided primarily by Critical Race Theory (CRT), this study examines the experiences of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) academics in UK higher education, with particular attention to alternative higher education providers (AHEPs). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with twenty academics across six campuses, the research interrogates systemic barriers, career progression, workplace culture, and the psychological implications of navigating academic life. Thematic analysis, informed by CRT and supplemented by concepts such as epistemic injustice and cultural taxation, reveals persistent inequalities: opaque promotion processes, glass ceilings, and reliance on precarious contracts. Participants described the pressures of performance metrics (KPIs), which often held them accountable for factors beyond their control and contributed to stress and reduced autonomy. While inclusivity was celebrated in cultural and student-facing activities, participants questioned whether such initiatives amounted to tokenism in the absence of structural change and leadership diversity. Experiences of microaggressions, accent bias, and emotional labour underscore the racialised dimensions of academic work and their mental health consequences. Nevertheless, opportunities emerged within AHEPs, particularly in widening participation and fostering diverse student communities. The findings suggest that AHEPs represent potential spaces of innovation but only if guided by sustained commitments to equity, transparency, and anti-racist practice.