Dr April-Louise Pennant – Scholar-Activist, Creative Educator, Consultant

Dr April-Louise Pennant is an award-winning sociologist, creative educator, scholar-activist and consultant whose work reshapes how we understand education, equity, social justice and heritage spaces. Rooted in a deep commitment to justice, she centres the voices and educational journeys of Black British girls and women, illuminating barriers while celebrating their brilliance.

She has spoken on the BBC (Women’s Hour and Arts & Ideas), contributed to the Malvern Festival of Ideas, and consulted as part of the National Trust’s Colonial Connections community of practice. She also designs and delivers bespoke CPD for organisations such as the National Education Union (NEU), equipping educators to respond with confidence and care to the experiences of Black girls and women. Across visual, audio and print platforms, she brings research to life, advancing equity through systemic change, inclusive curriculum design and creative educational approaches.

During her time at the Welsh Government, she co-authored the award-winning Running Against the Wind report, contributed to the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, and supported the BAME Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum Working Group.

Her current research traces the histories of enslaved African people in Jamaica connected to Penrhyn Castle in North Wales. Using her surname as a key to connect past to present, she co-creates educational resources that bring these often hidden histories into the centre of public understanding.

Whether speaking, mentoring, writing or consulting, April-Louise creates spaces that are thoughtful, honest and transformative, often sparking curiosity, laughter and bold ideas that lead to action.