Embedded Files
This page covers my interests in intersectionality and decolonization.
This page covers my interests in intersectionality and decolonization.
This page was intended to profile my equality, diversity and inclusion experience (see the bottom of the page). However, these often corporate concepts can miss the challenges they try to address. In many ways intersectionality and decolonization achieve a more holistic transformation. These concepts,
- question hegemonic status quos
- examine (for the purpose of restructuring) the power systems around us
- seek the above without creating additional oppression
My research interests are in exploring social inequality, applying intersectional interventions in the workplace, and the broader practice of decolonising people management and higher education.
The Concepts
The Concepts
Intersectionality means pinpointing and removing overlapping, identity based discrimination, or "interlocking oppressions and privileges" (Samuel & Ross-Sheriff, 2008). It is both an intellectual and social justice concept. For a foundational discussion of intersectionality see Kimberlé Crenshaw's 1991 article, "Mapping the Margins" and Audre Lorde's 1984 talk "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House".
Decolonization is the process of removing the enduring narratives and oppression of colonization on past and present subject peoples. Recent decolonization movements have aligned around the #RhodesMustFall campaign at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and the University of Oxford in the UK. These efforts centered on decolonizing both faculties, curriculum, and the campus space.
My Views
My Views
As a white British male, I have a supporting role in enabling the twin process of intersectionality and decolonization. This is done through deconstructing my own privilege as its related to the oppression(s) these concepts address. Below is a short video about what genuine inclusion means to me.
inclusion with chris.mp4You can also read a series of posts on my blog addressing these concepts, as well as on the above photographed sculpture, Kara Walker’s Fons Americanus.
Suggested reading
Suggested reading
The Post-Racial Limits of Memorialization, by Alfred Frankowski
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Rhodes Must Fall, Rhodes Must Fall Oxford
Saints, Slaves & Blacks, by Newell Bringhurst
Decolonizing Mormonism, by Gina Colvin and Joanna Brooks
A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
Diversity and Inclusion work
Diversity and Inclusion work
From 2016 to 2020, I researched, designed, and delivered workplace interventions to advance equity and diversity. These have sought to establish inclusive culture at work. My experience includes the following activities:
- Inclusion strategy and work plan
- Analysis of organisation-wide diversity data and all colleague surveys
- Systems for improved diversity data tracking
- Organizational values
- Equality impact assessment process and training
- Underrepresented group professional development and leadership program
- Community engagement planning
- Colleague-based focus groups and online surveying
- Policy and procedure (themes include diversity, bullying, harassment, Trans* support)
- Difficult conversations on challenging topics, such as race, gender, and bullying
- Pay gap analysis and diagnosis
- Colleague engagement events on religion in the work place, and public service provision in the context of terror attacks
- Mentoring underrepresented group members
- Working with senior leaders to build accountability and support for interventions
- Setting up and supporting colleague inclusion networks and executive sponsors
- Event and conference management
- LGBT Pride events
- Community driven recruitment campaign
- Inter-organizational collaboration with groups like the Asian Fire Service Association
- Collaborating with peers through professional associations
- Managing social media accounts
- General project and stakeholder management
(Above photo credit: Community recruitment event with fire service colleagues, Bradford 2017)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse