Closing the Gap
The screening of Mind the Gap, Director Ricardo Barker’s hugely thought-provoking film, was held at London Metropolitan University on Thursday October 30th in collaboration with FACE. Report Ransom Vincent and Joyce Thornton
Join others showcasing this film in your institution. Why? - See testimonials below.
Inequality in HE means that in 2025, Black students are 21.6% less likely to achieve a first or upper second-class degree, compared with their white counterparts, while for other minoritised students, the gap is still significant at 14.1%. Tackling this totally unacceptable disparity, Ricardo’s film is aimed primarily at white academics. “It’s the disengagement, or lack of engagement with racism, that becomes a hostility in itself,” he says. See Ricardo Barker’s full interview here.
“It’s the disengagement, or lack of engagement with racism, that becomes a hostility in itself.”
“It was an extraordinary evening - powerful, moving, and deeply human. The conversations that unfolded during and after the screening have stayed with so many of us. People are still reflecting on the themes raised, days later, and were struck by the honesty of Ricardo’s storytelling. I am so grateful for his generosity, insight, and the emotional truth that he brought into the room. He created a space that reminded us why creative work matters - it connects, challenges, and heals.”
Sharon Lloyd, FACE co-founder, event organiser, and Deputy Director of the CEI at London Met.
Alongside the film screening, discussion, reflection and questioning were major themes of the evening, creating a vibrant, potent and enlightening event.
“Mind the Gap is a powerful example of how creativity, co-creation, and community-building can reimagine what equity looks and feels like in education. Ricardo Barker invites us to reflect- to question our own biases and experiences- and to think about how we can help shape new, more inclusive narratives that respect student voices, perspectives, and cultural identities.
As someone who takes a values-led, relational approach to teaching intellectual property, I found the film both timely and inspiring. It reinforces the importance of leading with empathy and compassion to question injustice.”
Roxanne Peters, IP Education Specialist, (UAL)) Creative and Cultural Industries.
“A brilliant, humorous film which should be seen by all senior leaders and academics. It reaches everyone, and we are all responsible. The film provided a timely and vital reminder of understanding how the Awarding Gap at university continues to persist. Inequities were portrayed within a recognisable class situation, and this gives a generous opportunity for educators to reflect on their personal practice, and check with themselves on their ‘whiteness’, the ‘codes’, the structures, and repeated behaviours that disadvantage Black, Brown and marginalised voices. It should prompt white academics to unpick their working practice and make changes. The awarding gap should not exist.”
Linda Mackie, Programme Leader, MA Design Management at Winchester School of Art
“Barker’s dry and ironic humour cleverly exposed how ‘well intentioned’ white academics can be blind to institutional racism in HE. The film highlighted that the awarding gap can’t be solved without centring marginalised students and allowing them to feel that they truly belong, not just reacting when the university’s reputation is at stake.”
Susuana Gyampo Seghor, Student London Met
Ricardo Barker in short
Ricardo Barker is Associate Professor in Professional Practice (Filmmaking) at Leeds Trinity University and a member of the International Research Centre for Interactive Storytelling (IRIS). An award-winning filmmaker, his research integrates practice-based film production with critical pedagogy and co-creation.
In 2023, Ricardo directed Where Is The Line? in partnership with UK Coaching, Sport England, and CPSU. The film underpins the UK Coaching Duty of Care Training Package, a nationwide safeguarding resource.
His short film Re:Tension (2020) addressed institutional racism in higher education, screening internationally and leading to the national Re:Tension Toolkit, now used by UK universities. The film contributed to Leeds Trinity winning the 2021 Whatuni Diversity and Inclusion Award.
“The turnout for the film was fantastic, and the response was incredibly positive. I’m grateful to all FACE members, associates and the attendees, for their support and a night of building wonderful connections.” Ricardo Barker (Centre).