Story
Greetings all, my name is Tirivashe Maisline Jele. I am working to raise £22,000 to support the continuation of my PhD, the Chichester 14 Crowd Justice Fund, as well as support the education and research of 4 additional students and 3 mentees.
The University of Chichester's 2023 closure of the MRes History of Africa and the African Diaspora course led to the unfair redundancy of my primary supervisor, Professor Hakim Adi—the UK's first Professor of History of African Heritage. This left approximately 14+ Master's and PhD students, including myself, without promised adequate teaching or academic supervision. To date, no adequate replacement has been found. The students are currently engaged in a Lawsuit against the University and are awaiting the University's response, which has subsequently delayed our studies by two years.
Why should anyone support these students?
Firstly, these students are of African and Caribbean Heritage, the largest cohort of African Caribbean Postgraduate History Students in the UK and Europe.
Secondly, these students are all studying timely, relevant and important topics highlighting Black British, Black American, African, Caribbean and African Diaspora Histories.
Thirdly, there has been a campaign to attack History more broadly and African, Caribbean and Diaspora Histories, Black Studies, Africana Studies and Critical Race Studies more specifically.
Lastly, any student who registers for a course, pays for it personally or through a scholarship, has the reasonable expectation to finish their studies, graduate and receive the qualification they have worked for.
Why should anyone support Tirivashe's PhD?
Firstly, Tirivashe has shown a commitment to her studies, completing an undergraduate degree in Politics and International Relations (IR), a Master of Research degree (MRes) in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora. She received a first for her BA(Hons) dissertation and a distinction for the MRes dissertation. For the Honours qualification, she was awarded a Merit Scholarship by the University of East London. For her PhD studies, she has received a fee-waiver scholarship from the University of Chichester, including a two-year research grant awarded by The Leverhulme Trust Studentship Abroad. In addition to her ongoing studies, she is a postgraduate member of the Royal Historical Society, an incoming student member of the British Zimbabwe Society and a member of the Movement of the People (MOP).
Inspired by the late Guyanese historian, political activist and academic, Dr. Walter Rodney, who received his PhD at the early age of 24, Tirivashe, at 23 years old, enrolled for her Doctoral studies with the intention to complete her PhD qualification at the age of 27. Unfortunately, due to the disruptive events that have subsequently delayed her progress, she will be unable to realise this goal. She has, however, set her sights on completing her Doctoral studies before 30.
Beyond academia, Tirivashe is engaged in community work and activism. For instance, the campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV), Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Girls Education, History Education and Pan-African Unity. She also works as a facilitator with FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development), a UK-based, African female-led NGO working to end VAWG and FGM.
She also mentors and facilitates the academic support of three mentees; two of whom have recently completed their undergraduate studies, and a third has graduated with her master's. Furthermore, Tirivashe facilitates academic support and skills development. These include but are not limited to, essay writing and editorial support, grant funding and scholarship application, which include guidance and advice for writing high-quality cover, motivational and reference letters to students..
Students she has helped have gone on to receive placements for study abroad opportunities, successfully gained admission to their desired qualifications and completed their respective higher institution studies. All of this has been voluntary. With the success of this fundraiser, however, she will use a part of the funding to set up a website linked to her @PhDwithtiri Instagram page to offer paid services.
Tirivashe currently works in Hospitality and Catering sector, where she holds, albeit unstable, 4 casual work contracts. She has experience in the NGO sector, she has consulted on the development of a pamphlet for Girl's Education at the International Women's Day event hosted by the British Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). She also has experience in the creative sector, organising, managing and hosting events under her organisation, the Alkebulan Collective, founded in 2017. Please visit her professional profile on LinkedIn for more information.
linkedin.com/in/tirivashe-jele-427647144
Tirivashe currently has 4 jobs.
The Alkebulan Collective is an organisation that aims to connect African and Afro-descendant artists, creatives, and educators to foster further collaboration, encouraging a cross-pollination of ideas, art and culture for both education and entertainment. The organisation also aims to create an internal African-Diaspora economy. Although the Instagram page is not updated, you can find a snippet of their work @alkebulancollective.
To educate a Woman is to educate a Nation. - African Proverb
Thus far, Tirivashe's academic engagement has included chairing a panel at the SCOLMA Conference hosted at the University of Oxford on Monday, 30th June 2025.
She has also received an invitation to give a Keynote Address On Saturday, 19th July 2025, for the Pan-Afrikan Centenarians: Celebrating the 100th Birthdays of Frantz Fanon and Patrice Lumumba. An event jointly organised by Afrikan/Afrikan-Caribbean Heritage Initiative, Aro Cowley, Fusion Arts and Unlock the Chains Collective.
She is set to present a paper at the 6th Biennial Conference of the African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA2025), hosted by the University of Cabo Verde (UniCV), Praia in Cabo Verde, from 24-27 September 2025. She will also present three papers at the 7th International Cultural Sustainable Tourism Conference in Egypt from October 8-11, 2025.
Currently, she cannot afford to attend the International in-person conferences, and it is implausible to work enough hours between the end of June and payment deadlines in August and September, respectively. She is, however, dedicated to the advancement of African and African Diaspora History, Politics and Culture, working daily to embody this commitment in her personal life.
Lastly, having strived to get this far, she is calling on the support of the wider community, which has always stood by her on this journey. Please see below how the funding will be engaged.
Tirivashe pledges to support the Justice for Chichester 14 Campaign by matching their current funding, which stands at £7,000.
Tirivashe also pledges £1500 towards the education of four students (total £6000): One Master's Student at the University of Johannesburg studying an MEd Education and Curriculum Studies with a focus on indigenous knowledge systems, particularly precolonial pedagogical institutions. One Doctoral Student from the same institution studying a PhD in Philosophy focusing on African artefacts, epistemology and epistemicide. One student in Zimbabwe studying towards her SAICA Chartered Accountant Accreditation, and last but surely not least, one student pursuing a Master's in Divinity (M.Div) in Biblical Counselling at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Tirivashe also pledges to formalise her academic support by way of registering a company and creating a website, and pledges to use £600 to spend on 3 x £200 vouchers on her 3 mentees for books and other resources.
Please support Tirivashe, the Chichester 14 and 7 other students Tirivashe pledges.
For those who cannot support financially, please support by raising awareness and sharing the fundraiser with your networks and across social media.
Additionally, please help us put pressure on the University of Chichester to allow Professor Hakim Adi to teach-out all of his 14+ students by calling or emailing the University of Chichester. See details below.
General Helpline +44(0)1243 816222. help@chi.ac.uk
General Postgraduate Research - pgrsupport@chi.ac.uk
Admissions - admissions@chi.ac.uk +44(0)1243 816002.
Research Office - research@chi.ac.uk +44(0)1243 812128.
Dr. Charles Green (Senior Research Officer) - charles.green@chi.ac.uk
Professor Hugo Frey (Director of Arts and Humanities and Professor of Visual and Cultural History) - h.frey@chi.ac.uk +44(0)1243816200
Nelly Walsh (Postgraduate Research) - pgrsupport@chi.ac.uk 01243 812137.
We appreciate all of your support and solidarity.
Let's bring African and African Diaspora History back to the University of Chichester.
Links to the Crowd Justice page for direct donations and more information on our campaign will be attached to this page.
linkedin.com/in/tirivashe-jele-427647144
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/mres-phd-student-campaign/
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