Learning and teaching
Decolonisation in theory and practice: Reading and resources
The readings and resources below provide a critical foundation from which to approach decolonisation within higher education (HE).
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Whether you are new to decolonising work, unsure about its relevance to your field or already deeply invested, there is always scope for developing a deeper understanding of the key concepts, texts, debates and politics of decolonisation.
Although far from exhaustive, the readings and resources listed below provide a critical foundation from which to approach decolonisation within and beyond the context of higher education.
So far, we have focused on online resources, books and special issues, rather than individual journal articles. However, these pages are being continually developed and updated, and will also include discipline-specific recommendations in time.
Download the list in full: Decolonisation - Recommended reading and resources (PDF, 0.5MB)
If you would like to recommend any readings or resources, please follow the link under 'Get Involved', below. York St John staff and students can also explore some of the texts in more depth by joining our Discussing Decolonisation Reading Group.
Decolonisation in world history, theory and politics
Decolonisation in higher education
Exploring decolonisation through media and culture
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Book of the Month
Reactionary Democracy: How Racism and the Populist Far Right became Mainstream
By Aurelien Mondon and Aaron Winter
The resurgence of racism, populism and the far right is not the result of popular demands, it is the logical conclusion of manipulation by the elite of the working class to push reactionary ideas. These narratives portray racism as a popular demand, rather than as something encouraged and perpetuated by elites, exonerating those with the means to influence and control public discourse through the media in particular. This has legitimised the far right, strengthened its hand and compounded inequalities.
These actions divert us away from real concerns and radical alternatives to the current system. Through a careful and thorough deconstruction of the hegemonic discourse currently preventing us from thinking beyond the liberal vs populist dichotomy, this book develops a better understanding of the systemic forces underpinning our current model and its exploitative and discriminatory basis.
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Film of the Month
His House
Directed by Remi Weekes, 2020, 1h 33m
This debut feature tells the story of Rial (Wunmi Mosaku) and Bol (Sope Dirisu), a South Sudanese couple seeking asylum in the UK, who find themselves trapped in an English council house with a supernatural presence. Terrorised by horrific visions and sounds emanating from the walls, the couple are forced to confront their traumatic past whilst navigating the violence of a system and a community that doesn't seem to want them there.
Get involved
Recommend a text
If you have any readings or resources that you think should be added to the list, please complete our short form below to share your recommendations.
Join our reading group
York St John staff and students can also explore and discuss some of the key texts below by joining our Discussing Decolonisation Reading Group.
Attend an event
Attend an event in our Discussing Decolonisation public event series, hosted by the Teaching and Learning Enhancement team.
