For many women working or studying in higher education, entering a university does not automatically bring a sense of belonging. Some find themselves isolated, overlooked or questioning whether there is a place for them within academia.
The Sisters in Higher Education Network—known as S.Hi.Ne—is working to change that.
Based in Newcastle, the network brings together women academics and professional staff from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds who share a commitment to supporting others.
The committee includes Dr Gloria O. Botchway, Chair; Dr Lucy Currie, Culture, Education and Heritage Lead; Dr Princess Bwanya, Events Manager; Dr Maryam Garba, Project Manager; Dr Ekaete Efretuei, Finance Manager; Dr Rebecca Walker, General Secretary; and Cynthia Oguna, Research Assistant.
Together, they provide mentoring, advice, educational resources and opportunities for women to build professional connections. Their work is particularly important for those from underrepresented or disadvantaged communities who may be navigating higher education without an established support network.
From an Online Meeting to a Growing Network
S.Hi.Ne began in 2020 when a small group of women met online to discuss the challenges they were experiencing as Black women in higher education.
That first conversation proved both engaging and empowering. It gave participants an opportunity to speak honestly, share experiences and recognise that they were not facing these challenges alone.
From those early virtual meetings, S.Hi.Ne developed into a growing network offering workshops, seminars, conferences and regular “Sip and Chat” sessions.
These events help women develop the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate academic life. Just as importantly, they create a community in which participants can feel heard, supported and understood.
The committee’s work is not limited to women. It offers advice and resources to academics more widely, helping colleagues understand the barriers that can affect women from different racial, cultural and social backgrounds.
For Dr Gloria Botchway, who nominated the committee for recognition, the strength of S.Hi.Ne lies in the commitment of its members. They continue this work alongside demanding full-time roles as academics and professional staff, often using their evenings and weekends to organise events and support others.
Despite funding difficulties and other setbacks, the team has continued to develop the network because its members understand how valuable that support can be.
Practical Support and New Connections
S.Hi.Ne’s work is built around practical action.
The network provides coaching and mentoring, helps academics and students locate useful resources and creates opportunities for women to meet others facing similar professional challenges.
It has also established a research portal through which colleagues can connect and explore potential collaborations. This has helped form new professional relationships and encouraged academics to share knowledge rather than work in isolation.
In June 2026, S.Hi.Ne held a conference at the University of York. Participants spoke about the reassurance of discovering that they were not alone and the confidence they gained from meeting people who understood their experiences.
Feedback received by the committee showed that these events can have a lasting effect. For someone who has questioned whether they belong in higher education, meeting others with similar experiences can replace uncertainty with confidence and isolation with community.
S.Hi.Ne also works with universities and organisations including the University of York, the University of Sunderland and the Women in Higher Education Network. Through these partnerships, it provides workshops and activities for both staff and students.
The committee now hopes to extend its work into schools, encouraging younger girls to have high aspirations and consider futures within higher education.
“I Am Because We Are”
At the centre of S.Hi.Ne is the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
This captures the committee’s belief that progress is strengthened when people share knowledge, create opportunities and support one another.
The network also embraces the idea that “it takes a village”. No single person can remove every barrier within higher education, but a committed community can make those barriers easier to identify and challenge.
Dr Gloria Botchway’s contribution and the work of S.Hi.Ne have been highlighted by Newcastle City Council. The council recognised the network’s support for women and international students, including its work around cultural integration, microaggressions and confidence.
Dr Botchway describes the committee members as mentors, role models and advocates for equality. Their impact can be seen in the women who no longer feel alone, the professional connections created and the confidence participants take back into their studies and careers.
S.Hi.Ne’s contribution reflects the Black History Month 2026 theme, Honouring Our Communities. Its members are creating the kind of community they once needed themselves—one built on support, shared experience and the belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Through their dedication, the S.Hi.Ne Committee is showing what can be achieved when women come together not only to advance their own careers, but to hold the door open for others.