Brighton academic set to present groundbreaking exhibition at world road cycling championships

Dr Marlon Moncrieffe, a senior lecturer in the School of Education and member of the Sports and Leisure Cultures Research and Enterprise Group at the university, will showcase his ‘Made in Britain: Uncovering the Life-Histories of Black-British Champions in Cycling’ display at the championships, which run from 22 to 29 September.

The exhibition will be presented at Cycle Expo Yorkshire from 21 to 22 September during the opening of the World Road Cycling Championships Festival. Dr Moncrieffe will also provide a keynote talk at British Cycling’s exclusive members’ event in Harrogate. Members of British Cycling and Union Cycliste International (UCI), the world governing body for cycling, will attend the talk.

The county of Yorkshire is the official host of the competition, with each of the races finishing in the town of Harrogate.

Dr Moncrieffe at the opening of his exhibition at the University of Brighton

Dr Moncrieffe's exhibition

‘Made in Britain’ illustrates the lives and careers of Black-British champions of cycling through their own narratives, along with photography and other memorabilia. Three of the featured cyclists – Maurice Burton, Charlie Reynolds and David Clarke – made guest appearances at the University of Brighton when the exhibition was premiered in December 2018.

Tour De France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins also visited the exhibition, as well as taking part in a public Q+A discussion with his mentor and featured cyclist Russell Williams during the ‘Big Fete Velo’ at the Herne Hill Velodrome in London in June this year.

Of the opportunity to present his exhibition at the UCI Road World Championships, Dr Moncrieffe said: “It is research work which uncovers and pulls together our country’s minority-ethnic group participation and excellence in competitive cycling.

“I wanted to present this as a public exhibition with an aim to share knowledge for education on diversity, representation, and the need for wider minority-ethnic group inclusion to this wonderful sport.”

Scott Dougal, Head of Corporate Communications at British Cycling, said: “British Cycling is working to transform Britain into a great cycling nation so our sport must mirror the diversity of the nation. Dr Moncrieffe’s work in amplifying the history of black British cycling is a vital contribution to building the future of the sport.”

Professor Andrew Church, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at the University of Brighton, said: “We are delighted that Marlon has been asked to curate this groundbreaking exhibition at the Road World Championships with support from British Cycling. Marlon‘s work was supported by the University’s Rising Stars funding scheme which is designed to create a step change in staff research and the university is delighted with the impact of this exhibition.

“The University of Brighton has a long tradition of researchers creating new knowledge about race and sport and challenging accepted views.”