April-Louise Pennant

After graduating from Kent in 2015 with a BA in Sociology, April-Louise Pennant earned a master’s and PhD at the University of Birmingham with ESRC funding. She co-authored Running Against the Wind while working for the Welsh Government before returning to academia as an ESRC postdoctoral fellow and a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow at Cardiff University. Her research explores the educational journeys and experiences of Black girls and women while also uncovering erased histories, including the role of enslaved African people in building Penrhyn Castle.

April-Louise credits Kent for nurturing her passion for research, the social sciences and leadership.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

Since graduating from the University of Kent in 2015, I immediately pursued a Master’s and PhD, supported by a prestigious 1+3 ESRC studentship. This generous funding covered both my academic tuition and living expenses at the University of Birmingham. As a sociologist with a deep commitment to education and social justice, my research has always focused on the educational journeys and experiences of Black British girls and women. In 2024, I was thrilled to publish my first book on this topic, "Babygirl, You've Got This! Experiences of Black Girls and Women in the English Education System", which has garnered glowing reviews. After a rewarding two-year stint working in the Welsh government across various roles, I returned to academia in 2021, where I now lead research projects driven by my own ideas and vision. It’s been an incredible journey of growth and discovery, and I’m excited to continue making an impact in the field! More recently, my work has expanded into history, heritage, and memory—still deeply grounded in education and sociology. I now explore the erased histories of enslaved African people in Jamaica, some of whom I descend from, and their significant yet overlooked contributions to the construction of Penrhyn Castle in North Wales, which is managed by the National Trust. This research is funded by the Leverhulme Trust and seeks to illuminate hidden narratives, challenge historical omissions, and bridge the past with the present.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

As a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow, no two days are ever the same. I work independently, juggling multiple roles - budget holder, timekeeper, administrator, interviewer, and coordinator—while drawing on the support of mentors, colleagues, and external organisations to bring my research project, "The source of the stream: centring the enslaved Africans who built Penrhyn castle", to life.

My research involves archival and document research, site visits to key locations, and conducting interviews with experts, individuals who share the surname Pennant, and local communities connected to my research. Spanning Wales, Jamaica, and West Africa, my project retraces the transatlantic slave trade in reverse, uncovering the erased contributions of enslaved African people in Jamaica and ensuring their role in the history and legacy of Penrhyn Castle, managed by the National Trust, is properly recognised.

Currently, I’m preparing for the final stage of my fieldwork in Ghana—a decision shaped by findings from my first two years of research in the UK and Jamaica. This involves collaborating with host organisations, arranging logistics, managing budgets, finalising travel plans, and identifying key individuals to interview. As I analyse interviews from previous fieldwork, emerging themes continue to guide my approach, ensuring that each stage builds upon the last to bring this hidden history to light.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

A professional highlight from my career so far came before I returned to academia, during my time at the Welsh Government. I was deeply honoured to receive the Valuing Diversity Award in 2021 for my role in co-researching and co-authoring "Running Against the Wind: Report on Black Lives Matter & Staff Experiences of Race, Gender, Intersectionality & Identity in the Welsh Government," published in March 2021. This report was a direct response to the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020.

Alongside my day-to-day responsibilities and my involvement with the Minority Ethnic Staff Network (MESN) and the Women Together Network (WTN), this report was a key initiative to address the need for a deeper understanding of race, gender, intersectionality, and identity within the Welsh Government. It also fed into the development of their Race Equality Action Plan, a project I was helping to shape.

While there are many roles in the struggle for social justice, mine in this instance was using my skills to lead the research and writing of this important report. Fresh from completing my PhD, it was an opportunity to apply my research expertise in a practical, high-impact context. I was able to demonstrate my knowledge of ethical research methods and interviewing techniques while contributing to a report that senior civil servants, including the Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Minister/Chief Whip, described as “pioneering,” “very powerful,” and “challenging yet constructive.” Most importantly, the findings from the report have since been integrated into both internal and external policies on workplace equality, leadership, and anti-racism—making it a truly meaningful contribution to shaping future practices.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

My time at Kent was instrumental in shaping my current career. The passionate and engaging lecturers in SSPSSR deepened and nurtured my love for the social sciences, which began during my A-Levels. They helped me understand the profound impact research can have—not just in academic debates, but in shaping policy, fostering global collaboration, and transforming hearts, minds, spaces, and places.

In addition to my studies, I was actively involved in extracurricular activities, holding several key roles over my four years. I served as both a course rep and assistant marketing coordinator within SSPSSR, as well as a Kent student ambassador, a research and administration assistant at Kent Union, and secretary of the African Caribbean Society (ACS). I also worked part-time at Sainsbury’s Local.

Looking back, it was a whirlwind of responsibilities, but I thrived in being involved, learning, and contributing. Juggling these roles taught me invaluable time-management and organisational skills - skills that have proven essential in my current career, where balancing multiple responsibilities is a key part of my job.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

My advice to current and prospective students is to make the most of your time at Kent. There are countless resources and opportunities designed to help you grow into a well-rounded individual, so don’t miss the chance to take full advantage of them. It’s all about balance —make time for self-care, carve out space for fun, and embrace stepping out of your comfort zone. That’s where the real magic happens. Be strategic about what you get involved in. Explore different extracurricular activities in your first year and keep branching out in the following years. And don’t forget to track your achievements as you go—it’ll be invaluable when you’re applying for future opportunities. Networking is equally important—build relationships with your lecturers and staff members across the university. They offer invaluable insight and will likely become essential references down the line.If you have the chance, do a year abroad! The world is more interconnected than ever, and experiencing it firsthand will significantly broaden your perspective. For me, spending my second year in Hong Kong at the age of 20 was a game-changer.

Also, celebrate your wins—whether in private or public, by yourself or with those who supported you along the way. The choice is yours, but always take a moment to acknowledge your accomplishments! It’s vital to recognise how far you’ve come, and these celebrations, big or small, will help energise and motivate you for the next stage.

Lastly, and most importantly, stay true to yourself. Authenticity is priceless, and being genuinely you will always serve you better in the long run than trying to be anyone else.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

Yes! As mentioned earlier, I was deeply involved in extracurricular activities throughout my four years at Kent, taking on several key roles. I served as both a course rep and assistant marketing coordinator within SSPSSR, as well as a University of Kent student ambassador, a research and administration assistant at Kent Union, and secretary of the African Caribbean Society (ACS). Additionally, I worked part-time at Sainsbury’s Local. Balancing these roles was a great learning experience, and each one contributed to my personal and professional growth.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

I have many cherished memories from my time at Kent, but the one that stands out the most is my very first day—when my mum dropped me off at Eliot. To put it in context, I had never even set foot on the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus before. I didn’t attend an open day because, truthfully, Kent wasn’t even on my list of choices. It was my older sister who suggested it after visiting her best friend there—she thought it would be the perfect fit for me. So, through clearing, I found myself at Kent, completely out of my depth, thinking I knew no one and unsure of what lay ahead. It was a sink-or-swim moment.Yet, fast forward four years, and I’d immersed myself in countless extracurricular activities, worked part-time, and co-founded a student organisation, the Black International Community (B.I.C.), during my year abroad in Hong Kong. I also served as the secretary for the African-Caribbean Society (ACS), where my proudest achievement was bringing a Caribbean takeaway stall to campus, trading weekly with special discounted prices for students. I was also deeply involved in co-leading the #KentCan'tBreathe silent protest in 2014. These efforts led to me being nominated and winning the Outstanding International/Multicultural Initiative of the Year, as well as recognition for my contributions to equality, diversity, and inclusion at the Kent Student Awards in 2015, where I was honoured to be named Student of the Year and graduated with a first class degree.

Looking back, my sister was right—Kent was exactly where I needed to be. It also reminds me of something one of my teachers said when I didn’t get into my first-choice university and was fretting over it: “Such unexpected detours, when we look back on them, become the path itself.” I’m incredibly grateful for my time at Kent, the people I met, and the opportunities I seized. In many ways, you truly get out what you put in!

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

No, because everything I experienced at Kent has led me to exactly where I am today and shaped who I am now. Every moment, whether challenging or joyful, has been part of the journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Absolutely! I still send the occasional greeting to my personal tutor, Professor Iain Wilkinson, who played such a pivotal role in my Kent experience. I’m forever grateful for his support! Some of my closest friends are fellow Kent alumni, and it’s amazing to see how well they’re doing. In fact, I had a chat with one of them just the other day!

What are your future ambitions?

My future ambitions? They involve continuing to make Kent proud as an alumnus, never forgetting the roots that were nurtured and developed there. I also hope to become Professor Pennant—it has a certain charm to it, don’t you think? Beyond that, I aim to keep researching, writing, and shaping policy while ensuring that we are all seen, understood, and valued in wider society. My goal is to inspire, educate, collaborate, and leave a positive impact wherever I go, always working to make a meaningful difference and lift others up along the way.