Elite UK Universities: A Catalyst for Poor Mental Wellbeing in Black African and Caribbean Students?

高等教育中的种族差异一直是一个突出的问题，在被归类为“精英”的机构中最为明显，通常在罗素集团内；非洲黑人和加勒比地区的学生人数最少。随后，这导致了一种制度上的白人化，这种白人化被发现会增加学生和学者之间种族微侵犯和歧视性遭遇的可能性，最终对他们的心理健康产生负面影响，从而降低申请率和参与度。尽管与其他少数民族相比，黑人和加勒比学生更有可能认同与种族有关的压力源，但关于非洲和加勒比学生心理健康的研究却很少。这项研究的目的是确定黑人和加勒比学生在精英大学的种族化经历如何影响他们的心理健康和幸福。它将探讨与更具包容性的大学相比，在大学学习时的种族遭遇、微侵犯和歧视行为，以及它如何影响他们的心理健康。所采用的定性方法（半结构化访谈和焦点小组）旨在深入了解个人经历，并确定影响他们心理健康的教育系统的歧视性因素。批判性种族理论的理论/概念框架和白人的depememologies被用来加强这些讨论，以及用于指导努力寻找影响他们心理健康的结构和文化因素。总的来说，这项研究将确定阻碍非洲和加勒比黑人学生获得平等机会和获得白人高等教育机构资格的障碍。

Racial disparities within higher education have been a prominent issue, mostapparent among institutions classed as 'elite', usually within the Russell Group;Black African and Caribbean students are the least represented. Subsequently,this has led to an institutional Whiteness which has been found to enhance theprobability of racial microaggressions and discriminatory encounters betweenboth students and academics, ultimately leading to a negative impact on theirmental wellbeing, thus lower application rates and engagement. Although BlackAfrican and Caribbean students are more likely to endorse higher race-relatedstressors than other ethnic minority groups, research regarding the mentalwellbeing of African and Caribbean students have been sparse.The aim of this study is to ascertain how the racialised experiences of BlackAfrican and Caribbean students at elite universities affects their mental healthand wellbeing. It will explore racial encounters, micro-aggressions anddiscriminatory behaviours whilst studying at university in comparison to moreinclusive universities, and how it impacts their mental wellbeing.The qualitative methods employed (semi-structured interviews and focusgroups) aim to attain an in-depth understanding of personal experiences andidentify discriminatory factors of the education system that affects their mentalwellbeing. Theoretical/conceptual frameworks of Critical Race theory andepistemologies of Whiteness are used to enhance these discussions, as well asused to guide endeavours to seek structural and cultural factors that impact theirmental well-being.Overall, this study will identify the barriers preventing Black African andCaribbean students from an equal opportunity and access to qualifications fromelite higher education institutes.