Black Futures is a prestigious scholarship programme designed to attract excellence and enrich our academic community, recognising the systemic racial inequalities that exist in UK research and academia.

Through the programme, we support talented UK-resident applicants of Black and Black mixed heritage to pursue their PhD ambitions.

FELS first pioneered the scheme, which is now University-wide, in 2022 and are proud to be the home faculty of 20 Black Futures Scholars to date funded under the scheme, working on a range of research projects across all Schools.

We meet our two 2026 Black Futures Scholars in FELS to find out more about their research and aspirations.

Zoe Collins-Brown

School of Health Sciences

PhD topic: Addressing Mental Health Inequalities in the Black Community in the UK

“I am a British-born Ghanaian, a Christian, and a trained Mental Health Nurse. My PhD research focuses on addressing inequalities in mental health service engagement within Black communities in the UK. I am particularly interested in exploring the role of mental health education, co-production, prevention and health promotion, and cultural accessibility in improving help-seeking and engagement with NHS mental health services.

My passion is to help bridge the gap between mental health services and Black communities. I believe that equitable healthcare requires more than services simply being available; services must also be culturally accessible, culturally responsive, and perceived as safe and relevant by the communities they aim to support. My research therefore considers both communication and engagement within Black British communities and the responsibilities of professional services in creating more culturally competent and accessible care and interventions.

As a Black Futures Scholar, I hope to contribute to the evidence base for culturally accessible mental health education within Black communities, while also identifying approaches to monitoring and reviewing cultural competency within the NHS.”

Kieren Lock

School of Health Sciences

PhD Topic: Understanding musculoskeletal health in children and young people with cystic fibrosis

“I am a paediatric respiratory specialist physiotherapist by background. Alongside my clinical work in paediatric respiratory care, I have experience working with football academies, which helped develop my interest in musculoskeletal health and physical activity.

My PhD research brings together my two main professional interests: musculoskeletal health and cystic fibrosis. Through my project, I aim to improve understanding of musculoskeletal health in children and young people with cystic fibrosis, with the ultimate goal of informing future clinical practice and guideline development.

I have been fortunate to receive invaluable support and mentorship from two paediatric physiotherapists in Cambridge, who encouraged and supported my transition into research. Through my doctoral studies, I hope to develop as an independent researcher and, in turn, support and mentor other clinicians and researchers in achieving their own research ambitions.”

Southampton Black Scholars Welcome Event

Black Futures Scholars in FELS organised a welcome event for all Southampton Black Scholars, which took place on 14 October. The event was attended by students from across the University at all levels and offered an opportunity to network and build connections.

Dr Julie Vullnetari, Associate Dean EDI in FELS, who opened the event, said: “The event was an outstanding success thanks to the amazing skills and efforts of Monique Cleary and the organising group of Black Futures scholars who coordinated a fantastic welcome event for the students, much appreciated by all, but especially for those who have recently joined the university.”