• University of Bristol

Decolonising Education: From Theory to Practice

Get to grips with the nature of the colonial legacy on our current state of knowledge and learning practices.

5,893 enrolled on this course

Protesters pulling down the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol, UK

Decolonising Education: From Theory to Practice

5,893 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Decipher how to decolonise educational practices

Recent world events including the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Rhodes Must Fall campaign and the pulling down of the Colston statue in Bristol point to a rapid rise in concern about the persistence of colonial thinking and practices in our current institutions.

This course will help you to understand the nature of the colonial legacy on our current state of knowledge and learning practices, and how decolonisation of the curriculum is important for social and epistemic justice.

Identify the critical importance of decolonial theory in educational learning environments

This course is intended as a practical guide, with many examples, to help learners instigate meaningful decolonial changes in their own educational settings. You’ll gain an understanding of the history of colonialism and the legacy of colonial thought with respect to the development of universities and other educational institutions.

You’ll also identify the critical importance of decolonial approaches in creating fully-inclusive educational learning environments.

Gain the skills and knowledge to develop decolonial practices

You’ll assess appropriate actions that would be effective in developing decolonial practices in your own educational settings, and will cover the importance of combining top-down and bottom-up decolonial approaches.

Finally, you’ll understand how to lead a change process that includes students, colleagues and other stakeholders in a joint programme of decolonisation.

Learn from decolonisation lecturers at the University of Bristol

Throughout the course you’ll be learning from lecturers at the University of Bristol, which has a strategic commitment to decolonisation in its research and education.

[Course image credit: Getty/Harry Pugsley]

What topics will you cover?

  • Decolonisation of the curriculum: why it’s important for social and epistemic justice; what it is and isn’t
  • Colonialism and its legacy for modern education and knowledge
  • Why decolonisation has recently become a flashpoint, nationally and globally
  • Identifying and engaging important stakeholders in schools and universities; the importance of combining top-down and bottom-up decolonial approaches; including an institution-wide approach
  • Various practical approaches to decolonisation in the social sciences, sciences, health and the arts; their potential limitations and strengths

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history of colonialism and colonial thought with respect to the development of the university and other educational institutions
  • Explain to your colleagues and peers the critical importance of decolonial approaches in creating a fully inclusive educational learning environment
  • Identify and engage with the distinct legacies of colonialism across a range of disciplines in the social sciences, STEM and arts and humanities
  • Identify and assess appropriate actions and approaches that would be effective in developing decolonial practices in your own educational setting
  • Design and lead a change process that includes students, colleagues and other stakeholders in a joint programme of decolonisation.

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed primarily at university professionals and academic staff and students thinking about practical decolonisation at an institutional level.

This course will also be useful for teachers and leadership team members in schools and colleges.

It also may appeal to general learners interested in the current surge of interest in the colonial legacy and what decolonisation of knowledge and learning entails.

Who will you learn with?

I am a Professor of Economics Education and Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Education Innovation at the University of Bristol.

I am Professor of African, World and Comparative Literatures at the University of Bristol. My research explores literary and cultural ecologies on the African continent, particularly literary activism

I am a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and have research interests in cellulosic materials. My interests are also in the development of science and engineering as tools of anti-racism

I am Director of Part-Time Programmes and Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Community Engagement at the University of Bristol. I have developed and run training on decolonising in practice.

I am Professor in Education at the University of Bristol. My research interests include education in the postcolonial world and issues of race, ethnicity and education in the UK.

I am a Professor in Education at the University of Bristol. Trained as a sociologist, my research brings critical race theorising and postcolonial perspectives to education policy and practice.

Foluke Ifejola Adebisi is a Senior Lecturer at the Law School, University of Bristol whose scholarship focuses on decolonial thought in legal education.

Who developed the course?

University of Bristol

University of Bristol is one of the leading institutions among the UK’s Russell Group of universities and is recognised for its research and academic excellence.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$104/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 26 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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