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Learning and teaching

Discussing Decolonisation

Event series and reading group hosted at York St John University

Logo for Discussing Decolonisation Event Series

The Discussing Decolonisation event series is hosted by the Teaching and Learning Enhancement (TLE) team at York St John as part of our University's commitment to decolonisation and anti-racism.

These public-facing events provide opportunities for staff and students to think more deeply about the history of colonialism and anti-colonial resistance, to rethink approaches to curricula, pedagogy and practice, and to discuss issues pertaining to decolonisation in HE with peers and colleagues from across the sector.

Event series

The York St John Discussing Decolonisation series returns in 2024/25 with a series of public events and discussions taking place online and in person over the course of the academic year. The events are all free and anyone is welcome to attend.

The 2024/25 schedule is still being finalised, but you can see what we have lined up so far below.

  • Tuesday 15 October, 6.00pm to 7.30pm: Guest lecture by Dr John Narayan (KLC) on the revolutionary theory of the Black Panther Party (livestreamed from York)
  • Tuesday 4 February, 2.00pm to 4.00pm: Decolonising academic writing workshop with Dr Amita Nijhawan (UAL) (York campus)
  • Friday 28 March, 2.00pm to 4.00pm: Online PGR panel on decolonisation and academic futures (Microsoft Teams)
  • Thursday 24 April, 6.00pm to 7.30pm: Guest lecture by Dr Luke de Noronha (UCL) on understanding ‘race’, racism and the postcolonial today (livestreamed from YSJ London)
  • Monday 28 April, 2.00pm to 4.00pm: Second online PGR panel on decolonisation and academic futures (Microsoft Teams)
  • May 2025, date TBC: Online panel discussion, with Dr Remi Joseph-Salisbury (Manchester), on decolonisation and the politics of abolition (Microsoft Teams)
  • Wednesday 2 July, 9.30am to 5.00pm: in-person event dedicated to building the decolonising movement in HE, with talks, workshops, refreshments and networking opportunities (York Campus)

Booking for all events in the series will become available as dates are confirmed, via Eventbrite.

Discussing Decolonisation Reading Group Logo

Reading and discussion group (DDRG)

This year, the Discussing Decolonisation series will also be complemented by an internal cross-disciplinary reading group.

The group will explore the history, theory and politics of anti-colonial thought alongside debates over ongoing efforts to 'decolonise' higher education. The sessions will generally take place online, and are open to all York St John staff, students, affiliates and partners.

A draft schedule of discussion topics and readings can be found on our blog.

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