Still buzzing with reflections from the inaugural European Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum🤩
Others have already captured it so beautifully, but I wanted to share a few thoughts of my own after what was an unforgettable and deeply affirming few days 💚
I’m still feeling energised and inspired. MLSFF centred joy, justice, and collective brilliance in science in a way I’ve never experienced before — the excitement, joy and fun was palpable from start to finish 🎊
It was incredibly special to meet people I’ve long admired in real life, including Prof. Kevin Fenton CBE, Melanie Etti, and Winston Morgan 💫 One of my personal highlights was getting my copy of “The Black PhD Experience” signed by the brilliant Wayne A Mitchell – thank you so much🙏🏽
It was such a joy to see on the stage the brilliant Faith Uwadiae and Tomi Akingbade — their clarity, passion, and purpose lit up the entire space. And chatting to them about future-facing ideas was truly inspiring.
It was lovely to reconnect with friends I haven’t seen in a while, including Amonida Zadissa (yes – we finally found each other😅), Louise Atkin, Sarah Goler Solecki, Nicholas Farmer, Lee Sykes, and *so* many others who truly inspire and uplift me 😍 And I made some lovely new connections too — Leanne Williams, it was such a pleasure to meet you – we must chat more😊
Huge congratulations to the MLSFF organising committee for curating something truly remarkable 🙌🏽 And the steering committee: Emmanuel Adukwu PhD, FRSB, FHEA Shana Owen, Afua Acheampong and Amara Anyogu – I hope you’re all able to relax this weekend 😅
This was one of the most collaborative, affirming, and powerful spaces I’ve ever experienced in an academic setting. A true blueprint for how science can be done: with heart, purpose, and community 💚
This work matters — and the impact is real. Let’s keep going 🙌🏽