ABOUT US

We are a social enterprise made up of people from a variety of professions and specialisms all over the country, who share a passion for physics and positive representations of the Black community.

Our story began in 2006 at the world-renowned Blackett Laboratory - the physics department at Imperial College London. Dr Mark Richards, an eminent physicist and senior teaching fellow there, decided to take on two Black students as their academic and social mentor.

A tiny fraction of the student and staff body, our network of friends slowly expanded as the years rolled on. What began as three 'Blackett Brothers' would soon grow to become:
The Blackett Lab Family.

Today, we are a national collective of talented, successful and influential people making waves in education, research, industry, technology, finance and law. Our ambition is to become influential in society, leading the conversation on diversity in physics and inspiring a new generation of Black minds in our communities - and beyond.

MEET
THE TEAM

Mark

Mark Richards

Director of External Relations

Senior Lecturer

Sophie

Sophie Martin

Director of Media & Marketing

PhD Student

Benyam

Benyam Dejen

Director of Outreach

Research Scientist

Ose

Ose Pedro

Director of Community

Computer Scientist

Matthew

Matthew Okenyi

Treasurer

Software Engineer

MEET
THE TEAM

Mark

Senior Lecturer

Mark Richards

Director of External Relations

Sophie

PhD Student

Sophie Martin

Director of Media & Marketing

Benyam

Research Scientist

Benyam Dejen

Director of Outreach

Ose

Computer Scientist

Ose Pedro

Director of Community

Matthew

Software Engineer

Matthew Okenyi

Treasurer

OUR MISSION

Diversifying perceptions of physics and promoting Black representation at all levels in the field.

Represent

We highlight, celebrate, and give voice to an underrepresented group of Black individuals qualified in or engaging with physics.

Connect

We connect UK based Black physicists to each other to form a community of talent and knowledge, and share this passion with the world.

Inspire

We inspire ourselves and others – regardless of gender, ethnicity, orientation, ability, or background – but especially the future generation of UK based Black physicists.

Our long-term objectives are to:

Increase the number of Black UK domiciled students enrolled onto a physics or physics-related course or scheme.

Set up a network of support, mentorship, and opportunities for past, current, and future UK based Black physicists.

Raise the awareness, knowledge and appreciation of physics in the Black community.

OUR MISSION

Diversifying perceptions of physics and promoting Black representation at all levels in the field.

Represent

We highlight, celebrate, and give voice to an underrepresented group of Black individuals qualified in or engaging with physics.

Connect

We connect UK based Black physicists to each other to form a community of talent and knowledge, and share this passion with the world.

Inspire

We inspire ourselves and others - regardless of gender, ethnicity, orientation, ability, or background - but especially the future generation of UK based Black physicists.

Our long-term objectives are to:

Increase the number of Black UK domiciled students enrolled onto a physics or physics-related course or scheme.

Set up a network of support, mentorship, and opportunities for past, current, and future UK based Black physicists.

Raise the awareness, knowledge and appreciation of physics in the Black community.

Get in touch

Are you based in the UK, of Black heritage and have studied physics at A Level/equivalent or above, or have experience in a physics related field?

Click here to read more about our community and use the button below to join. Our network offers academic and professional support, casual socialising and networking with like minded people and exciting opportunities to work together for positive social impact. We have met regularly (and virtually!) for fun, topical chat, and exchanging opportunities to collaborate together on cool social media projects, including work for the Institute of Physics and school outreach.

If you would like a speaker for an event, you can make a request using this form:

This will provide us with the details we need and we will get back to you.

For general enquires, partnerships, or collaborations, please email us at:

connect@theblackettlab­family.com

Get in touch

Are you based in the UK, of Black heritage and have studied physics at A­ Level/equivalent or above, or have experience in a physics related field?

If you would like a speaker for an event, you can make a request using this form:

For general enquires, partnerships, or other collaborations, please email us at:

Click here to read more about our community and use the button below to join. Our network offers academic and professional support, casual socialising and networking with like minded people and exciting opportunities to work together for positive social impact. We have met regularly (and virtually!) for fun, topical chat, and exchanging opportunities to collaborate together on cool social media projects, including work for the Institute of Physics and school outreach.

This will provide us with the details we need and we will get back to you.

connect@theblackettlab­family.com