The Living Black at University research, published in 2022, found evidence of racism, cultural insensitivity and exclusion in university and privately run student accommodation. In response, Unite Students set up a national Commission, formed of decision-makers from across the HE sector. The Commission concluded the first phase of its work in autumn 2023 with a series of toolkits and a report sharing good practice and case study examples from across the sector.
In 2024 CUBO and Unite Students partnered to lead a new phase of the Living Black at University Commission, which over the last three years has set a new standard for inclusion and anti-racist practices in student accommodation and wider campus services.
Read our round-up of the Black History Month Celebration and Symposium at The London School of Economics and Political Science in October.
Living Black at University is approaching its fourth anniversary, and we’d really value your insight.
When the original research by Halpin was published by Unite Students, none of us could have anticipated the scale of its impact. Through the Living Black Commission, which CUBO co-leads, this work has supported members and partners to make meaningful change for students.
We’re now looking to take the next step. To help embed this work across the UK higher education landscape, we’ve published a draft Theory of Change. It sets out:
• The changes we’re collectively making in student accommodation and campus services
• How these changes contribute to wider goals for equity and widening participation in higher education
• How we’ll measure progress and impact
Our aim is to create lasting change for Black students and offer a practical blueprint for future DEI initiatives across the sector.
We’d welcome your feedback on the draft Theory of Change, including:
• Whether it feels clear and logical
• How relevant it is for your teams
• How useful it is when planning your own DEI activity
If you'd like to contribute to this work, you can download the document here:
Please send all feedback to: lburesearch@unitestudents.com.
We have various resources you can access including guides, case studies, slides, updates and more.
View all Living Black at University resources
