The University of Sheffield has been critcised by a Student Union member for not hiring enough black members of staff in leadership positions.
Ahmad Arshad, Black Asian and Minority Ethnic officer for The University of Sheffield said: “The university does well to acknowledge Black History Month, but in terms of the visibility of black people, it lacks. How do you aim to make black people visible when there isn’t a single black individual in any of your leadership teams?
“It’s not a question of whether an organisation or body are doing enough but rather if the impact is in alignment with what the month should be about.”
The University of Sheffield claims to recognise and celebrate the legacies, achievements and history the Black community and the continuing barriers they face.
Webinars, talks and exhibitions are being held by the university for the rest of the month for both staff, student and the public.
Mr Arshad said: “I think doing actual work to ensure black people are visible in leadership positions within the SU and university and funnelling that into the month would be a much better approach than having a black person come to give a talk or two, which will be forgotten.
“Within the SU, I’ll say the approaches and tone of all history months have been getting better and better over the years as it’s getting the student body more involved in what they do.”
The University of Sheffield have been approached for a comment but have yet to respond.