In a three-part series, "Is the University colonial?: Critical Conversations on its past, present and future", the University of Nottingham’s Institute for Policy and Engagement and the University of Connecticut's Office of Global Affairs will be hosting three online panel discussions, each with a focus on decolonising education. Speakers will examine the role that universities have had in cultivating racism and (settler) colonialism, the present challenges they face in disbanding unequal and oppressive narratives, as well as the future opportunities to contribute meaningfully to an anti-racist and anti-colonial agenda.
19 October
Is the University Colonial?: Critical Conversations on Its Past
The first session considered the past wih experts debating the historic role of a University in cultivating inequalities
Speakers:
- Chair: Dr Maria Arruda, Chair of BME network, University of Nottingham
- Professor Lewis R Gordon, University of Connecticut
- Professor Sandy Grande, University of Connecticut
- Professor Cecile Wright, University of Nottingham
To watch the first session, please follow this link.
30 November
Is the University Colonial?: Critical Conversations on Its Present
The second session considered the present with experts debating the current challenges faced by universities when attempting to disband unequal and oppressive narratives.
Speakers:
- H. Kenny Nienhusser, Ed.D., Higher Education and Student Affairs, Faculty Director, University of Connecticut
- Dana Francisco Miranda, Ph.D., Affiliate Research Scholar, University of Connecticut
- Mark Overmyer Velazquez, Ph.D., Professor of History and Latin Studies, Department of History and El Instituto Campus Director, UConn Hartford, University of Connecticut
- Gina Higginbottom, Ph.D., MBE, Emeritus Professor Ethnicity & Health, University of Nottingham
- Onyeka Nubia Ph.D. Historian, Author and Presenter, University of Nottingham
To watch the second session, please follow this link.
15 February
Is the University Colonial?: Critical Conversations on Its Future
The final session considers the future with experts debating the future opportunities that we have to meaningfully change the course of history.
Speakers:
- Chair: Stacy Johnson Ph.D. MBE, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Nottingham
- Hannah Robbins Ph.D. Assistant Professor in Popular Music, Faculty of Arts, University of Nottingham
- Saran Stewart Ph.D. Associate Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs Director of Global Education, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut
- Glenn Mitoma, Director of Dodd Human Rights Impact and Assistant Professor of Human Rights Education , University of Connecticut.
- Kathryn Haley Ph.D. Second year graduate entry medicine student at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Keynote:
- Michael Bradford, Vice Provost for Faculty, Staff, and Student Development, University of Connecticut
To watch the final session, please follow this link.