Black British history scholarship is established to honour historian and activist Len Garrison
Three postgraduates will be able study Black British history with the University of Leicester free of charge, thanks to a scholarship set up to honour alumnus Len Garrison.
The University’s Centre for Regional and Local History (CRLH) has partnered with s (BCA) to offer three Master’s studentships to eligible students in memory of Mr Garrison, who co-founded the BCA and studied with the CRLH.
The studentships will enable three students to complete the MA History (Local History Pathway), which includes a semester-long placement at the BCA in Brixton, London.
The scholarship covers student tuition fees in full and includes a small bursary to cover travel and subsistence costs for the placement.
Lenford Alphonso (Len) Garrison (1943-2003) was a British-Jamaican educator, historian, and community activist who made significant contributions to documenting and preserving the history of Black British people. He pursued his Master’s education at Leicester, where he studied for a Master’s degree in Local History. This academic background played a crucial role in shaping his approach to heritage and archival work. Mr Garrison co-founded the BCA in 1981, the UK's leading institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, and celebrating the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain. Under his guidance, BCA amassed a vast collection of photographs, documents, and oral histories, providing an invaluable resource for research and education. His work at BCA was instrumental in ensuring that the contributions and experiences of Black Britons were recognised and recorded for future generations.
The focus for these studentships in Black British local history aligns with the University of Leicester's priorities of equity, diversity, and inclusion, which include a commitment to improve the ethnic diversity of those in academic roles and progressing in academic careers. The studentships, offering a small bursary and travel expenses, make Master’s study accessible to those who might not afford it otherwise.
The Len Garrison MA Scholarship in Black British History is open to any UK student who has applied to study the MA History (Local History) course starting in September 2025 at the University. They must hold an offer for MA History (Local History Pathway) prior to submitting an application for the scholarship.
The deadline to apply is Friday 13 June and full details can be found on the website.