13 - Finding the Black immunologists in a pandemic

Summary

Every two weeks, on a Saturday evening, I switch on my laptop, and join co- organisers from North America, West Africa and Europe to work on the non- profit organisation, Black In Immuno. Since its inception in 2020, we have created a platform to connect with, celebrate and support Black immunologists from across the world. Immunology is the study of the immune system, and understanding this system involves studying complex interactions, such as those between a virus and an infected cell, or between an antibody and its target. These fascinating interactions are what drew me towards the field of immunology, but it is also what motivates me to pour much of my spare time towards Black In Immuno. I am fueled to keep exploring and creating connections for Black scholars at the centre of this field. This need to build connections is very human, and for me it is rooted in the lack of Black scholars I have encountered in my educational journey.

The complex reasons for the underrepresentation of Black scholars were not something I understood during my undergraduate studies. I finished secondary school with no more than six other Black students in a year group of 200. This was not so different to the situation in my undergraduate course, where I was one of three Black students in a class of 150. I also saw very few Black researchers and faculty; however, this was not unusual for my educational experience. My prior years at school in south east England were largely absent of Black educators and I had grown accustomed to, although not entirely comfortable with, this reality. Although I saw little representation of Black scientists and educators at school, both my parents are university educated and trained in scientific disciplines. In fact, within my large extended family, my siblings and many of my cousins, aunts and uncles have been educated in the sciences. Being a Black scientist was, therefore, never something I doubted could be possible.