Introduction to decolonisation
Welcome
This collaborative digital learning resource blends Western and South Asian perspectives to explain the concept of 'decolonisation', thereby supporting staff and students in working towards decolonisation of the curriculum, higher education, and society more generally.
Quotation from Prof Melissa Percival, Associate Dean (Global) for Humanities at the University of Exeter -- spoken during a visit to Jadavpur University in June 2022
The content in this page was compiled by contributors from both India (Jadavpur University) and the UK (University of Exeter). All partners in this work acknowledge the intertwined, complex, and at times violent histories of our two nations -- and see the co-creation of this resource as a commitment to building a better future by fostering understanding, dialogue, and future actions in support of equity, justice, and dignity for all.
Module curriculum and teaching plans
We have designed a 12-week 'Introduction to Decolonisation' module appropriate for high school or undergraduate learners. Information about the module is divided into three main sections: a set of 12 session plans outlining teaching and learning activities for each week; a guide and syllabus with additional notes on required and suggested readings for each week; and a glossary of key terms. You can engage with all of the materials directly through this webpage, or download the documents to print and work with offline.
Additional learning resources
We have also created a suite of digital resources for learners who would like to find out about decolonisation less formally, in their own time. These materials will provide a strong foundation of knowledge for learners from all disciplines and geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic backgrounds. The materials are divided into four main themes, as indicated by the tiles below (and the navigation menu at the top). You can interact with them in order, explore particular topics, or simply browse through and engage with whatever content catches your eye. Regardless of how you engage with it, the content will ideally open the door to further discussions and decolonisation efforts tailored to your specific context.
This section introduces definitions for several key terms, including 'colonisation', 'imperialism', and 'decolonisation'. It also explores how decolonisation relates to other social justice activities, and explains the benefits of decolonisation work.
This section considers the origins of the decolonisation movement in higher education (HE), and investigates what it means to decolonisation the curriculum and the university more generally. It also acknowledges some of the barriers and challenges associated with decolonisation in HE.
This section documents some of the many disciplinary differences we see in decolonsation -- both in terms of how decolonised the disciplines already are, and what techniques have been / are being used to achieve this. Experienced educators share some of the specific ways in which they and their colleagues have sought to decolonise their practice.
This section looks to the future, considering what next steps need to be taken to further the decolonisation project. Experts share their short- and long-term hopes and plans for facilitating decolonisation at discipline, institution, and society levels.
Contributing experts
Dr John Bruun, Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Exeter
Professor Partha Chatterjee, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies, Columbia University and former Director (1997–February 2007) at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata
Professor Ian Cook, Professor of Cultural Geography, University of Exeter
Dr Thomas Currie, Associate Professor in Cultural Evolution, University of Exeter
Professor Jerri Daboo, Professor of Performance, University of Exeter
Dr Riadh Ghemmour, Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter
Professor Nilanjana Gupta, Retired, Department of English, Jadavpur University
Dr Layal Hakim, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Exeter
Aveen Hameed, Lecturer in Mining and Geological Education, University of Exeter
Dr Caitlin Kight, Academic Development & Skills, University of Exeter
Dr Frances Martin, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter
Dr Shubranshu Mishra, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Exeter
Professor Maroona Murmu, Department of History, Jadavpur University
Dr. Subhajit Naskar, Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University
Dr Vrinda Nayak, Associate Academic Dean for Students (Racial Equality and Inclusion) and Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Professor Melissa Percival, Associate Dean of Global and Professor of French, Art History, and Visual Culture, University of Exeter
Professor Fatima Pirbhai-Illich, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Regina
Dr. Musarrat Maisha Reza, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences and Race Equality Resource Officer, University of Exeter
Professor Samir Kumar Saha, Retired, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University
Professor Nicola Thomas, Professor of Historical and Cultural Geography, University of Exeter
Funding acknowledgement
This work was made possible by a Going Global Partnerships – Exploratory Grant from the British Council. The Going Global Partnerships – Exploratory Grant supports collaboration and innovation in teaching and learning and Transnational Education in Higher Education Institutions between India and the UK. Going Global Partnerships - Exploratory Grant is part of a wider British Council programme called Going Global Partnerships, which builds stronger, more inclusive, internationally connected higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems. For more information, please visit www.britishcouncil.org/going-global-partnerships.
If you have any questions or comments about this resource, please contact c.r.kight@exeter.ac.uk.