An interview with the first Black Academic Futures Scholar

Qalid Mohamed is the first Black Academic Futures graduate scholarship recipient at Merton College. Alongside involvement with a number of organisations he is a practising lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP, in financial services regulation. Born in Somalia, raised in North West London, and having read law at SOAS, Qalid has been part of the Merton community since Michaelmas 2022. We sat down with him recently to talk about his time at College, his career, and some of his work. 

Merton: Qalid, you seem to have already accomplished quite a bit in your career: you are a social mobility ambassador for The Law Society, you have a fellowship with the Churchill Foundation, you were a trustee of the Public Law Project… 

Qalid: Yes, I was a trustee of the Public Law Project (PLP) for just over three years. PLP is a legal charity, doing impactful work in relation to human rights and public law matters, that I am proud to have served.  As it was a relatively involved role it didn't feel right to stay on the board if I couldn't offer my usual level of commitment, so I resigned to pursue my studies at Oxford and to be able to fully immerse myself in the experience. 

Merton: In addition, you were practising law. So, the question is, why Merton: what brought you here?  

Qalid: I have long aspired to study at Oxford, and the MSc in Law and Finance (MLF) was a perfect fit given my experience and interests in law and finance. It is a wonderfully designed programme, taught jointly by the Faculty of Law and Saïd Business School, that combines advanced concepts in financial economics with a deep dive into the intersection of law and finance in a practical way.  

Merton was an obvious choice for me - it is renowned for its academic excellence and collegial environment. The law fellows here are leading figures in the fields of corporate and financial law, which aligns well with my career focus. For instance, the Warden Professor Jennifer Payne, is an eminent figure in financial regulation. I have consulted some of her texts in the past, and speaking with her around College has been a delight. Overall, I very much enjoyed the synergy of scholarship and community that Merton provided during my time in Oxford.  

Merton: Did you get much chance to interact with these leading figures in the programme or was your experience more based in the business school? 

Qalid: At the postgraduate level, teaching primarily takes place at the faculty. The College has been more of a home base, for building relationships and getting pastoral support. That said, at Merton, graduate students are very much integrated into college life through the various social and academic events on offer. 

Merton: Have you felt like Merton is somewhere that you are a part of the community?  

Qalid: Certainly. I found Merton to be an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive community. It is an environment where intellectual curiosity is nurtured, where you're encouraged to push the boundaries of your research and academic interests, and where you're constantly exposed to intriguing, often novel, research across disciplines. 

Merton: Your undergraduate studies were spent studying at SOAS University of London. Both Oxford and SOAS place a premium on expertise: how would you compare your time between the two? 

Qalid: They are both world-renowned institutions with a strong commitment to academic excellence. I would say the emphasis of the degrees and overall experiences differed significantly. 

At SOAS, the focus on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East gave me a chance to delve into the legal systems and jurisprudence of those regions – a truly fascinating and eye-opening experience. 

On the other hand, the MLF at Oxford draws in students specifically interested in law and finance, often with several years of professional experience, from all over the world, providing invaluable cultural exchange. In my cohort of 47, we had 24 nationalities represented. I found with such a diverse and tight-knit cohort you end up learning a great deal from your peers. The college system, especially being part of a college with Merton's rich history, added a special layer to the Oxford experience.  

Merton: How does it feel to be a part of that historical tradition now?  

Qalid: Reading for the MLF at Oxford, and specifically as a Merton scholar, has been an incredible experience: it has been one of the best decisions that I have made. I'm honoured to be a small part of the College's long history and feel privileged to have been able to study here. 

The MLF and my time at Merton have expanded my worldview and enabled me to acquire essential skills that I can now use toward my legal career and the various social impact initiatives that I am involved with, one of which is the Churchill Fellowship (formerly, The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust). The Churchill Fellowship supports select UK citizens to travel the world in search of innovative solutions to some of today’s most pressing problems. 

Through my fellowship, I will travel to the US to research ways to improve financial literacy among disadvantaged school pupils in the UK. I hope to understand what type of financial education works, for whom, and, if possible, why. I am keen to explore how technology, particularly gamification and artificial intelligence, could be used to deliver financial education in schools. I plan to share my findings with charities in the UK that are involved in the delivery of financial education and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People. 

Merton: Will you be travelling to a particular region in the States? 

Qalid: Yes, I am planning to visit DC, New York, and Chicago this year, and San Francisco and Los Angeles next year. My goal is to connect with policymakers, schools, financial institutions, non-profits – in effect, any organisation deploying innovative methods or tools to promote financial literacy. That means, for example, fintech start-ups leveraging technology to increase access and engagement, and schools or organisations harnessing AI and gamification to make learning about personal finance interactive and fun for young students. 

This will be my first time in the United States, so I am very much looking forward to exploring the cities that I will visit. I was originally awarded the fellowship in 2020, but the pandemic obviously delayed my project. The prospect of finally being able to actually undertake my work is exhilarating. 

Merton: Can you share more about your work with the Public Law Project? 

Qalid: PLP is a legal charity that works to uphold the rule of law and improve access to justice, particularly for those whose access to justice is restricted by poverty or some other form of disadvantage. It does this mostly through impactful public interest litigation and research. For instance, in the Miller (no 2) case on Brexit, PLP provided critical research to support the claimants' arguments that the Prime Minister's advice to the Queen to prorogue Parliament was unlawful, which was cited extensively by the Supreme Court in its judgment. 

PLP has also played significant roles in cases affecting access to justice, welfare, and housing, as an appellant or an intervening party.  Notable cases include PLP's successful challenge to the government’s proposed ‘residence test’ for civil legal aid at the Supreme Court and its success in helping overturn the Home Office’s controversial ‘“removal windows’ policy” a few years ago, which allowed the Home Office to deport certain individuals with 72 hours’ notice, often without access to legal advice. 

Merton: How did you first become involved with them? 

Qalid: I was looking for ways to use my professional skills to make a difference outside my day job. Serving on the board of PLP allowed me to contribute meaningfully while also honing useful skills by learning from senior figures in the human rights field. 

In a similar vein, I remain involved with the Law Society’s Social Mobility Ambassador scheme, which aims to improve social mobility and fair access in the legal profession. I contribute to the scheme through mentoring aspiring solicitors, delivering speaking engagements, writing articles on diversity and inclusion, and being on the selection panel of the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme. Through our work we encourage individuals to view the profession as being open to everyone. One of my most fulfilling experiences was mentoring a promising individual for 18 months who recently landed a training contract at a leading City law firm. 

Merton: What has been your favourite part of the College itself? 

Qalid: Within Merton, I loved the tranquillity of the Fellows' Garden (during Trinity Term, of course). It is a serene spot for challenging readings, particularly when the weather is nice! 

Merton: What would you like the impact of the scholarship to be moving forward? How do you see it acting in other people's lives? 

Qalid: I hope the scholarship continues to empower students of Black or Mixed Black backgrounds to realise their potential and pay that opportunity forward by making an impact in their chosen careers (whether in academia or elsewhere), thus inspiring future generations of Merton scholars. 

Merton: What do you think your impact on Merton has been? 

Qalid: I hope I brought a new perspective shaped by my background and interests to the student population during my short time here. My goal now is to use the skills and experience that I have acquired through the scholarship to advance in my career and community work. If I can make a broader impact and open doors for others, I will feel I have honoured the gift of this experience. 

Merton: What comes after Merton? After the Churchill Fellowship? How do you see yourself in the future in that space you have created with your career and your more philanthropic work? What kind of resource do you want to be there?  

Qalid: I see myself progressing in my legal career toward leadership roles. I work in an area of the law that I really enjoy and where I know I can excel. Meanwhile, I will maintain my involvement in impactful extracurricular activities. For me, the two are exceedingly complementary of each other. I don’t need to wait to attain a certain position to make a difference - every incremental contribution helps, though the further you advance in your career, the greater the impact you can make. 

Merton: Has this sparked an urge in you to consider a more academic bent to your career or will it be strictly professional from here? 

Qalid: Although I don't plan to pursue a career in academia, the area of law that I specialise in (financial services regulation) is inherently academic, and my time at Merton has certainly reinforced this aspect. I will continue to explore the academic nuances of my field. 

Merton: Are you familiar with the Merton Law Society? Have you been to any of their events? 

Qalid: Regrettably, time constraints have prevented my participation. I recently became a father, and my son has been a significant part of this degree journey. But I'm certainly looking forward to attending future alumni events. One of Merton's strengths, which I appreciated very much, is its inclusive community spirit that welcomes students at all levels. 

Merton: Do you have any further thoughts on the Black Academic Futures graduate scholarship? 

Qalid: I believe the profound influence of this scholarship might not be immediately noticeable. Its real impact will likely materialise five or six years down the line when beneficiaries have had the chance to move forward in their respective fields. Therefore, it's imperative to sustain this scholarship and create a network among the recipients. Merton already does an excellent job at keeping alumni connected, which is commendable. This interconnectedness can potentially amplify their collective impact, and it could be incredibly beneficial in the future.  

Merton: What would you have people know if they were interested in the scholarship? 

Qalid: Decisions about the scholarship are made by a panel with no direct application or input from applicants; if you are offered a place on a postgraduate degree programme at Oxford and you satisfy the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, you will automatically be considered for the scholarship.  

As such, my advice for prospective students would be: do not self-doubt or self-select out. Instead, focus on what is within your control - submitting the best application possible for admission to your chosen degree. Seek help, engage with Oxford's numerous outreach programmes, and connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Never hesitate to take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. 

Merton: Thank you for your time, Qalid.