About the Programme 

What is WHEN?

^{WHEN was founded in 2015 by women working in UK higher education to accelerate progress towards gender equity. Guided by the values of Inclusion, Respect, Cohesion and Action, WHEN exists to challenge structural inequities, create lasting change and ensure no woman is left unseen or unsupported.} 

100 Black Women Professors NOW Programme

_{The 100 Black Women Professors NOW (100 B) programme is the first and only initiative of its kind in the UK higher education sector.}

_{Launched in 2021, it is a 12-month systemic change programme that supports Black women in higher education to achieve career breakthroughs, while working with allies and senior leaders to remove the structural barriers that block progress.} 

_{This is not about “fixing” Black women, because there’s nothing to be fixed. It is about transforming institutions; equipping Black women with the tools, networks, and visibility to thrive, while holding universities accountable for lasting cultural and structural change.} 

_{The 2026 programme has three strands: Academic, Professional Services and PhD.}

_{Why the Programme Exists}

_{The 100 B programme exists because Black women are the most under-represented and systemically marginalised group in UK higher education.} 

_{In 2019, there were just 25 Black women professors in the UK compared to more than 13,000 white men. This is not a reflection of ability, but of structural inequity. Despite some progress, Black women remain under-recognised, under-supported, and systemically excluded from leadership spaces.} 

_{Nicola Rollock’s Staying Power report documented these realities and called for bold, structural action. 100 B is WHEN’s response; a catalyst for equity, accountability, and transformation across the higher education sector.} 

_{What Makes the Programme Different?}

_{Here’s how our programme stands apart from other leadership development initiatives:} 

_{Conventional Approaches}

• _{Broad diversity initiatives group all ethnicities together}

• _{Leadership theory is treated as the destination}

• _{Information alone is assumed to drive change}

• _{One facilitator for 20+ is the norm}

• _{Focus is on “fixing” individuals}

_{Our Approach}

• _{Targeted, identity-specific space created for Black women}

• _{Strategic, career-specific breakthroughs prioritised}

• _{Human-centred coaching fuels sustained transformation}

• _{Small groups + expert coaches enable deep learning and action}

• _{Focus on shifting systems and structures that block equity}

_{We Tackle}

• _{Equity vs. equality}

• _{Structural and institutional barriers}

• _{Retention and advancement}

• _{Sector-wide exclusion across the pipeline}

• _{The need for real, not performative, change}

Programme Objectives

Programme Format, Structure and Framework

_{The programme is built around WHEN’s 3S™ Equity Framework, which drives change at three levels:} 

• _{Strategic support for Black women to achieve career breakthroughs, using personalised coaching, promotion gap analysis and peer connection.} 

• _{Systemic unblocking at institutional and departmental levels through the actions of Allies who are positioned to influence processes and decision-making.} 

• _{Sustainable leadership change driven by deep reflection and active engagement from those in power, building long-term accountability and cultural shift.} 

_{This integrated approach ensures that Black women are supported to progress, while institutions are challenged to create the conditions that enable success.} 

What to Expect 

_{Over the course of the programme, participants will experience a blend of:} 

• _{Career strategy and support: promotions gap analysis, career planning, and personalised coaching.} 

• _{The Career Reformer: an intensive three-day in-person residential workshop.} 

• _{Peer learning and community: group coaching and connection with other Black women across the sector.} 

• _{Institutional support: matched with an Ally (to unblock barriers locally) and a senior Sponsor (to actively create opportunities).} 

• _{Sector visibility: opportunities to showcase leadership, influence networks, and shape change.} 

• _{Reflection and review: onboarding, mid-programme reviews, and a closing dinner hosted by the Vice Chancellor.} 

   

Key Programme Dates