AN award winning cultural heritage professional and the author of a book on Oxford University's black scholars will be giving a free public lecture at Buckinghamshire New University tomorrow.

Pamela Roberts will be giving the talk, entitled Airbrushed out - the Untold Stories of Oxford University’s Black Scholars. It will aim to illustrate the long and illustrious history of black scholars at the University of Oxford, and at the same time draw attention to those that are not portrayed or associated with the famed institution.

She noted that if you make a visit to University College in Oxford you will likely see the grandiose white marble statute of Percy Bysshe Shelley set behind high ornate railings, celebrated as one of the College’s most famous alumni - even though he was expelled after only eight months. Christian Frederick Cole was also an alumnus of University College, however, and the first African to practise law in an English court - yet there is no grand monument to Cole, and no plaque.

Pamela said of her forthcoming lecture: "The names of Shelley, Wilde, Pullman and Clinton are synonymous as Oxford alumni. My lecture will present other scholars such as Locke, Williams, Manley, who have also made great achievements but yet are unfamiliar to many."

A former television producer and director who has worked for Channel Four Television, ITV and the BBC, Pamela works to conceive, develop and produce black cultural heritage projects which celebrate and acknowledge black heritage contributions and achievements.

She has organised screenings, events, festivals and conferences for a range of organisations which have included the Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the British Film Institute, the University of Oxford, and Oxford Preservation Trust. Pamela has received awards for her work including being recognised for outstanding contribution for media services by Her Majesty the Queen in 2004.

Her book on the same subject as her lecture is entitled Black Oxford - The Untold Stories of Oxford University’s Black Scholars Pamela’s presentation is the next in a series of free public lectures at the university which seek to discuss issues affecting the community on both a local and national level.

It will take place from 6-7pm on Tuesday in room N2.06 at the university’s High Wycombe campus. Light refreshments will be served from 5.30pm and after the event.

Admission to the lecture is free and is open to anyone on a first come, first served basis. Note that places should be reserved in advance; please email Lorna West on lorna.west@bucks.ac.uk or call 01494 603 002 for a booking form, or go on our website: www.bucks.ac.uk/publiclectures.