two smiling young Black girls smiling at each other
genderanded Blog Writing, Call for papers, girlhood studies, Issues

Black Girlhood in Europe Symposium 2026 – Are you Down? 

By Dr Silhouette Bushay

A young Black girl in a red top

It is astonishing that a conference on Black British Girlhood Studies was convened for the first time in Britain in 2025, and we support and applaud this shift and look forward to many more – nonetheless, this truth is telling of the intellectual and political space that we are in. It also reflects a wider issue of epistemic whiteness and neocolonial violence which permeates and bolsters academic and wider institutional practices and agendas. For Black girls, their communities/families, and Black girlhood orientated scholars, researchers, practitioners, and professionals, the field is unsupported and requires research, funding, and more coordination and movement to build momentum, and consequently, drive progress. 

a young Black girl typing on a laptop

In recognition of the work that is required to contribute towards building the field of Black Girlhood Studies in Britain and other countries in Europe, Black Girl Streams C.I.C. is launching the Black European Girlhood Studies Association (BEGSA) which is also convening/co-hosting Black Girlhood in Europe Symposium 2026 – Black Girlhood at the Intersections: Health, Disability and Neurodivergence, and it’s first Special Interest Stream (SIS), the Black British Girlhood – Health, Disability and Neurodivergence SIS.   

Co-hosted by the Centre for Social Change and Justice (CSCJ), and funded by the School of Childhood and Social Care, CSCJ, and Student Life at the University of East London, the main objective of the symposium is to delve into some of the complexities involved in Black British Girlhood as a site for understanding a range of ideas around race, ethnicity, culture, gender, health, community, dis/ability and neurodivergence.  It will grapple with Black girl experiences with consideration community, embodiment, and institutions such as school, social care, and technology – to name a few. 

This is an interdisciplinary discussion where Black girls (18 and over) and women, academic, practitioner, students, policy and other professionals and stakeholders are welcome to contribute and collaborate in moving the agenda forward. 

The symposium takes place on the 11th March 2026 at the University of East London, UK. 

Come join us – see our online platform for more information and to reserve your free spot: https://blackgirlstreams.com/symposium  


Follow us on social media: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-girl-streams/  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlstreams/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_e9pIyMXYC_EGNZziZ3QA (launches on the 2nd March 2026)

 

If you have any enquiries regarding Black Girl Streams or more specifically BEGSA including the Special Interest Stream, email: info@blackgirlstreams.com  

I am Dr Silhouette Bushay, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at the University of East London, and Founder, Executive Director and Lead Scholar at Black Girl Streams C.I.C.  

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-silhouette-bushay-81419838  

Image credits:
@eyeforebony https://src.nappy.co/photo/oWGwCNU7llU-MQ4x_SjG4 
Photographer: 5DMedia https://picnoi.com/people/6566/ 
Photographer: Monstera https://picnoi.com/people/6443/

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