ABOUT DECOLONIZATION

‘Decolonising Knowledge’ has been looking into what the University of Exeter has been doing in terms of the decolonisation of the curriculum. With the aim to take an intersectional approach we have looked at both the representation of BAME people and women within the different academic departments. Overall, what we have found was dissatisfactory and we thus aim to encourage the university to take a more dedicated stance. While Exeter University have published some resources in order to aid the decolonising of some modules and have stated on their website that they value diversity, their position in relation to policy is weak. If the university have said that they value diversity, they should put this into practice. We have therefore collated policy recommendations that Exeter can take on board in order to further the decolonisation of their curriculum instead of making empty statements. 

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• There is a lack of representation of BAME and female academics within the content that we study. This narrows the perspectives represented and stunts the richness of the curriculum. The University should enforce policies that requires a certain number of compulsory readings or research papers of BAME and female authors per module. 

• A more decolonial stance is necessary in the teaching approach. The University should review the current curriculum and require staff training that equips them to effectively teach with a decolonial stance. 

• More effort is needed with regards to anti-racism and feminism. Policies should be created that introduce an analysis of issues of race, colonialism and feminism into a compulsory module that should be completed before graduation. 

• We have found that across all departments there is a lack of BAME staff and lecturers. The University should enforce policies in their recruitment process that allows the hiring of a more diverse staff, especially of BAME people.