Dr. Dionne Taylor

Birmingham City University - Global Challenges Teaching Award Exploring Racial Justice

Dr. Dionne Taylor is an Associate Professor at Birmingham City University, where she serves as the MA Black Studies Course Leader and teaches across Sociology and Black Studies. With over 15 years of teaching experience and a PGCE, Dr. Taylor has a deep commitment to brokering community engagement and supporting individuals and groups in reaching their potential. 

Her PhD thesis, titled "'I Wanna Love You': An Exploration into the Lived Experiences of Young Black British Women’s Interpretation and Engagement with Representations of Black Womanhood," delves into the impacts of societal stereotyping and structural inequalities on Black British women’s daily lives. Dr. Taylor’s research focuses on Blackness and identity, mental health disparities, and inequalities in higher education. 

Dr. Taylor has led several notable initiatives, including a Black Studies student exchange with Xavier and Tulane universities in 2020, which facilitated cross-cultural learning among students and staff. She also spearheaded the Black Studies and Youth Work and Communities Summer School in 2022, a widening participation project that engaged socially disadvantaged youth in educational and social activities. 

Her research leadership is exemplified by the UKRI-funded SMaRTeN project, which aimed to improve the mental health of Black university students. Dr. Taylor’s commitment to racial justice and culturally astute research is further reflected in her forthcoming works, including "The Black Studies Textbook: Beyond the Academy" and "Black University Students Mental Health and Wellbeing Matters." 

Dr. Taylor’s contributions extend beyond academia; she was featured in Leigh-Anne Pinnock's 2021 documentary "Colourism and Me," and she continues to influence the discourse on Black identity and mental health through her interdisciplinary collaborations and community-focused initiatives.