The Decolonial Researcher - In Person

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in calls to decolonise academia. This has involved discussion about the need to decolonise curricula, pedagogy, campus spaces, and relationships within universities.

It has also been suggested that research methods and methodologies need to be decolonised too. This course will offer an in-depth exploration of this area by asking: What are the possibilities when it comes to decolonial research? This one-day course will be split into four sections, as follows. 

Firstly, the course will examine the decolonial critique of academia. This will involve exploring some of the main themes found within decolonial scholarship and activism with a specific focus on the decolonial critique of social science research. 

Secondly, the course will explore some of the key predecessors of decolonial research which have had a significant impact on current thinking about decolonial research. More specifically, consideration will be given to the relationship between feminist research, Indigenous research, and decolonial research. 

Thirdly, the course will consider various strategies which have been suggested to decolonise research. This will involve discussing some of the practical strategies that may be used when trying to produce decolonial research.

Fourthly, the course will offer a critique of decolonial research. This will involve recognising the limitations of decolonial research which make it an imperfect approach to conducting research. The course will be delivered in an interactive workshop format which will involve a mixture of lecture-style teaching, interactive large-group discussions, and small-group conversations. Researchers from all disciplines, expertise, and backgrounds are welcome to attend.

The course covers: 

• Theoretical and practical insights into what decolonial research is and how it can be conducted.
• Robust exposition of decolonial theory and its critique of contemporary academia.
• Examination of the significant influence that feminist research and Indigenous research has had on decolonial research.
• Consideration of various strategies which have been adopted in the pursuit of decolonial research.
• Exploration of the limitations of decolonial research

By the end of the course participants will:

• Be well-versed in the decolonial critique of academia, particularly in relation to social science research.
• Be able to identify the core principles and strategies which constitute decolonial research.
• Be prepared to offer a lucid critique of decolonial research.

This is an in-person course, taking place in Cardiff on the 9th of May from 10am to 5pm. 

The course is suitable for all levels. It is structured in such a way so as to ensure that it progresses from entry-level, to intermediate-level, to advanced-level. 

This course is designed for doctoral researchers within social science disciplines and anyone else who would like to further explore decolonial research methods and methodologies.