Hair salons ‘deterring black students’
BLACK students don’t apply for places at Cambridge because the city lacks Afro-caribbean hairdressers, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor has said.
The unexpected reason arose during research into what deters black students from considering the institution, said Prof Graham Virgo.
Speaking at an event at King’s College, Cambridge, he said hairstyle concerns were one of the barriers that prevented black students applying.
“We have been doing some quite detailed research, particularly with black students, looking at obstacles to applying to Cambridge. And number three on the list was hairdressers,” he said. Prof Virgo, a QC and expert in criminal law, said the revelation sent a “really important” message to the university. The research, surveying undergraduates and sixth-form students, was carried out in preparation for a campaign to attract more black students.
“It’s unexpected but we need to look at applying to Cambridge from their eyes,” Prof Virgo said. “For those students this is their concern. Really being able to engage with these perceptions enables us to say ‘how are we going to respond?’” Students were also concerned about the cost and whether they would fit in, he added.
He made the comments at a discussion on Wednesday, convened by the investment bank J Stern & Co as part of a series of seminars on education.
Universities are under pressure from the higher education regulator to admit more students from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Last year it emerged that six Cambridge colleges had accepted fewer than 10 black British students in five years. Cambridge said at the time it could not change diversity “on its own” and urged parents and schools to help.
Naomi Kellman, of Target Oxbridge, a programme to assist black students with Oxford and Cambridge applications, agreed the question of hairdressers “comes up really frequently”. She said: “If you are from a majority group you assume you will be catered for. Anywhere in the country can manage your hair. But if you have Afro hair, expertise is needed. Things that are really basic and simple become a challenge.”
She added that black students would also be concerned about the food and nightlife on offer.
Cambridge does have hairdressers that specialise in Afro and European hair care for men and women. But Dr Tony Sewell, of Generating Genius, a charity that encourages youngsters from under-represented backgrounds to pursue STEM subjects, denied lack of salons was a reason for the problem.
“It may be another lame excuse. Kids need to get more resilient and get with it,” he said. “As a minority, you will have to confront a situation where you are the only one. You have to face that and learn how to adapt to that. That’s the key issue.”
Sir Peter Lampl, of the social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, said “cultural differences” meant that some ethnic minority students were more likely to apply for university in their home town.
“This is holding some young people back when they have the potential to go to a much higher ranked university,” he said. “Part of this is about cultural differences, with many worrying that they won’t fit in.”