Xavier Baker is an Assistant Support Lecturer in Law at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). Xavier developed passions for community engagement and race equality over the course of his studies through his work as a Student Ambassador and membership of various pro bono and extracurricular groups. Chairing the student committee of Equity, a positive action talent development programme for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students, in his final year.
In the months between graduating and starting his current role, Xavier worked as a research assistant on a project that explored the nexus between the tragic Grenfell Tower fire and the concept of environmental racism, used principles of restorative justice in volunteering with the Youth Offending Service in the London Borough of Lewisham and was awarded Bristol Law Society’s Law Student of the Year Award for 2018.
Xavier now teaches across a range of modules and is committed to helping to address the significant gaps in attainment between BAME students and their white counterparts. This commitment feeds into his research interests which include improving learning and teaching experiences for BAME students and topics concerning criminal justice, specifically stop & search and the use of restorative justice.
Since becoming an ETAT Trustee in September 2020, Xavier has interviewed the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, for a Black History Month event and has become a faculty lead for the university’s Critical Race and Cultural Research Network. In his spare time, Xavier enjoys DJing and co-hosting the student life podcast, Spill the Beans.