University news

The James McCune Smith PhD Scholarship programme at the University of Glasgow continues to shape student’s futures – and now families.

Montel Gordon, one of the programme’s inaugural 2022 scholars, is being joined by his father, Paul, in a family journey of academic exploration.

Montel joined the programme, bringing with him a background in history and literature, from the University of Nottingham.

His PhD research, based in Birmingham, investigates the school-to-prison pipeline for Black Caribbean boys. His research seeks to understand whether this phenomenon, widely documented in the US, is mirrored in the UK.

Montel said: “I’m trying to find actual viable solutions, not just keep talking about the problem. This research is rooted in my own experience working in alternative provision and mentoring young people.”

Beyond academia, Montel is a prolific cultural contributor inspired by his love of music, a passion also shared by his father Paul. Montel founded Nostalgia '99, a music and culture magazine series and authored The Black British Experience Through the Eyes of Music, funded by the Youth Music Network.

His writing regularly appears in The Voice, The Jamaican Gleaner, The Metro, inews, and The Independent, and he has worked in both research and education sectors.

But he says the experience of doing a PhD scholarship based in sociology at the School of Political and Social Sciences, has been truly transformative for him and his work.

Montel added: “I think the programme has been everything I imagined and more. There are so many opportunities to meet, amazing likeminded individuals. What the programme has given me is, I guess, is confidence to grow, to develop and to try new things that I have been doing alongside my PhD like my books as well as internships and networking opportunities through the programme. Glasgow is an incredible institution.”

Montel, speaking about the JMS community, added: “It’s a big family. We’re all in the same position together, growing together. In 20, 30, 40 years, they’ll probably write stories about this amazing Black PhD cohort and what they have achieved. At the moment, the JMS programme has over 60 Black PhD scholars which I think is supporting the remit of what’s been happening post Black Lives Matter.”

Proudly inspired by his son’s journey, Paul Gordon begins his own PhD this month (October). A minister at the New Testament Church of God in Derby for over 18 years and a business consultant, Paul brings a wealth of experience to his research.

His project explores the intersection of gospel and reggae music, theology and Black experience in Britain, examining how resistance is expressed through sound and space.

“I wanted to understand the spaces we occupy, the church and the dancehall, and what they mean for the Black experience,” Paul explained.

Paul’s journey into academia was shaped by a moment of role reversal: “I remember taking Montel to school for the first time. Now he says to me, ‘I’ll take you to school.’ The teacher became the pupil.”

His research will explore how music has historically served as a form of resistance, from gospel choirs to reggae and how these cultural spaces have shaped identity and activism across generations.

Paul said: “Resistance isn’t always violent. Sometimes it’s peaceful. And sometimes, it’s musical.”

For Paul, his PhD is a labour of love drawing together the many strands of his life and interests. A key output of his PhD scholarship will be developing and writing new songs for an album.

Paul hopes his work can show different ways of doing academic research and added: “What I want to do in my PhD work is not just using the academic space of writing only but draw on my Black experience, which is oral based. I want to use this oral tradition to create an album recording about nine songs as well as maybe a sermon and a podcast. So bringing in all together in a new way of approaching this field of academia.” 

The James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships at the University of Glasgow fund Black UK-domiciled students to undertake research in any discipline. Scholars receive full funding for four years, including a stipend, training grant, mentorship, leadership development and a six-month placement with an external organisation.

Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow said: “The story of Montel and Paul Gordon exemplifies the spirit of the James McCune Smith PhD Scholarship programme. It is about opportunity, legacy and change. We are proud to support scholars who bring not only academic excellence but lived experience and cultural insight to their research. Their journey is a powerful testament to what this programme was designed to achieve.”

The programme is part of the University’s wider commitment to reparative justice, offering scholars not only academic opportunity but a platform for community, creativity and change.

Glasgow’s reparative justice actions form part of the recommendations set out in its 2018 report entitled, "Slavery, Abolition and the University of Glasgow". The report researched and written by historians Professor Simon Newman and Dr Stephen Mullen, investigated how the University had benefited from the profits of historical slavery.

 

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The James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships

Visit the James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships web pages for more information on the programme. There are also details on these pages which set out how to apply and eligibility criteria.

Who is James McCune Smith?

James McCune Smith is the first known African American graduate in medicine. As well as a doctor he is celebrated as an intellectual, abolitionist and medical activist.

After being denied entry to American colleges due to his race he attended the University of Glasgow from 1832 to 1837.

During his studies in Glasgow he obtained three university degrees – a Bachelor of Arts (1835), a Master of Arts (1836) and his Medical Doctorate (1837). In 2021 the University of Glasgow’s new world-leading learning and teaching building was named the James McCune Smith Learning Hub in his honour. In 2022, the James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships Programme was launched.

First published: 24 October 2025