Decolonising the Curriculum Workshop

Abstract

The call to begin decolonising UK university curricula is widespread and recommended by many organisations, including the Office for Students, Advance HE, Higher Education Policy Institute, and Universities UK. Evidence is now available from several universities that this approach is effective in narrowing the ethnicity awarding gap. Decolonising the curriculum is a long-term process involving continual self-reflection. The LJMU Decolonising The Curriculum Working Group was established in March 2021 to coordinate activity across LJMU and whilst it is apparent that all Schools are initiating or developing activity, progress is at early stages. This workshop provides an opportunity to reflect on the breadth of activities, and some of the current challenges, including what decolonising the curriculum means, our positionality and goals, how to engage staff with simple efficient steps whilst avoiding the tokenistic action and what progress is being made. After three lightning presentations, there will be the opportunity for reflection of where we are now, main challenges and discussion of next steps.

The 5 minute talks will provide a brief overview of activity across the university, staff perspectives, from the Faculties of Science and Arts, Professional & Social Studies, and a student perspective, to stimulate discussion:

• Dr Nicola Koyama, Chair of the Decolonising The Curriculum Working Group, Faculty of Science
• Miss Marie Hie, Black Asian & Minority Ethnic Student Officer (and Incoming 2022-23 JMSU President), John Moores Student Union
• Dr Sarah Maclennan, Associate Dean for Education, Faculty of Arts, Professional & Social Studies

The talks will be followed by open discussion groups to allow attendees to freely exchange information and ideas. Wherever support and/or resource needs are identified, these will be gathered, shared and fed back to the Decolonising The Curriculum Working Group to help us continue our journey towards decolonising the curriculum.