AMS x BWiS | We Belong

Project overview

We Belong was a collaborative project between the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Black Women in Science Network, exploring the experiences, achievements and aspirations of Black women working in science.

Through personal stories and reflections, the project examined the importance of representation, the barriers faced by Black women in scientific spaces, and the role of community in creating opportunities for the next generation.

The project aimed to amplify voices that are often underrepresented, celebrating the contributions of Black women in science while challenging perceptions of who belongs in the field.

My approach

As director and editor, I was responsible for shaping the film’s storytelling, guiding its creative direction and bringing the contributors’ experiences together into a cohesive narrative.

The approach centred on authentic, interview-led storytelling, creating space for contributors to reflect on their personal journeys, the challenges they had encountered and what belonging in science meant to them. The conversations explored themes of identity, representation, mentorship and community, connecting individual experiences to wider questions about inclusion within scientific spaces.

Through the edit, I shaped these reflections into a narrative that balanced the challenges faced by Black women in science with their achievements, resilience and aspirations. The intention was to ensure that the contributors’ voices remained at the heart of the film, allowing their experiences to inform the story rather than imposing a narrative upon them.

The outcome

We Belong celebrates the importance of visibility, representation and community in science. By centring the voices of Black women, the project highlights the value of creating environments where individuals feel recognised, supported and empowered to thrive.

More than a celebration of achievement, the film invites audiences to reflect on how belonging is created and what needs to change to ensure that future generations of Black women can see themselves represented in science.

For me, the project demonstrates the power of thoughtful, people-centred filmmaking to communicate complex social themes, create space for underrepresented perspectives and connect personal experiences to a wider conversation about inclusion.

Credits

You may also like: