Black History Month 2024 Blog – Barry Seemungal, PhD, FRCP
In honour of Black History Month 2024 and this year’s theme of ‘reclaiming narratives’, Head of the Centre for Vestibular Neurology, Barry Seemungal, shares his narrative about his Caribbean heritage, his influences and inspirations, and what Black History Month means to him:
What is your role and how long have you worked at the Trust?
I was appointed consultant neurologist in 2008, specialising in balance and eye movement disorders, an uncommon expertise, but very much in demand by patients. Balance cases are the number one complaint for patients seen in a general neurology clinic and I am considered an international expert in this area by my peers, with thanks to my excellent teachers. I get referrals from across the UK for my specialist clinic.
What do you love most about your role and why would you encourage others to follow this career path?
I love the science, patient contact and teaching, whether students, doctors or healthcare professionals. I enjoy putting my Caribbean patients at ease by chatting about the cuisine or Calypso music.
Have you experienced any challenges and/or barriers in your career? What were they?
Being mixed and brown, I experienced some social prejudice in Trinidad, however, I had no barriers to reaching my full potential. Here, minorities need to continuously demonstrate our excellence without room for error. If you are from a certain background your excellence and intelligence are taken for granted. These subtle barriers are less pervasive in academia or the pure clinical arena which are more meritocratic but seem more ingrained in the NHS in general.
What is your heritage and how has this influenced you?
I was born and brought up in Trinidad of mixed East-Indian heritage and I attended a government school which allowed for social and religious mixing, and for social class mobility. My grandfather was a peasant farmer but stressed education as the route out. My father came across on a banana boat to work to fund his degree at Trinity College Dublin and returned as a secondary school teacher. My uncle Lionel won an island scholarship to study law at Cambridge University and he helped draft the constitution for the newly independent Trinidad and Tobago.
Who or what have been other influences in your life or career?
Professionally, Professor Lawrence Harris, who asked me to present a research paper on eye movements during my intercalated Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Cardiff (I had won an Medical Research Council (MRC) scholarship to pay my fees), instigated my love of neuroscience; Professor Derek Bell inspired me to almost train in internal medicine, and my PhD supervisors in Vestibular Neuroscience, Professor Adolfo Bronstein and Professor Michael Gresty, who provided me their expert direction to develop as a clinician scientist. I very much enjoy being in the laboratory and can perform any test for balance patients; I have also invented some new ones.
Personally, my wife is also an influence because we are very different and this balances our decision making. My kids, much more sensible than I ever was, are a continuous inspiration for me to become aware of the many challenges in our society.
What advice would you give to young Black people wanting to enter your profession?
First, consider your motivation, whatever your colour. Secondly, get a supportive mentor who understands who you are.
What does Black History Month mean to you if anything?
It is a special time to reflect on the beauty and pride of being part of the coloured minority.
Do you normally observe Black History Month and if so, what do you do?
I visit themed exhibitions or concerts. My guilty secret is chatting with my patients and I have had some invitations to exhibitions from Caribbean artists in my clinics. As I grow my own Trinidadian hot peppers - Moruga Scorpion - I make pepper sauce and give some to my Caribbean work colleagues and I listen to old style Calypso music such as Sparrow and Kitchener. It reflects my age.
Are there any black figures who inspire you?
Nelson Mandela was the most incredible human being of any colour of the 20th Century.
This year’s Black History Month theme is ‘reclaiming narratives’, what does this mean to you?
Those with a story to tell should tell it themselves, like I have tried to do here. I have many more stories to tell, especially of the generation before ours who paved the way.
