The Academy: In Black and Whiteness

This 3-day course offers a platform for PhD researchers to discuss and begin to learn about how to deconstruct and challenge whiteness in the academy and themselves. It responds to calls from both students and wider society to take an anti-colonial approach the education system, curriculum and institutions. This learning will take place in an honest and supportive environment.

The course will be delivered in partnership with an external organisation called brap. They are an equalities and human rights charity that has worked with a number of universities and student unions around the country.

The course is a 3-part programme held across three successive days:

Part 1: The Power of Whiteness. Held on the 1st June 2021, 13.00 – 16.00

• Explore the concept of whiteness and the impact it has on identity

• Discuss the relationship whiteness has with (individual) power and privilege

• Expose the systems and structures which uphold whiteness in society

• Consider the role we all play in maintaining the system of whiteness

Part 2: An End to Whiteness? Held on the 2nd June 2021, 13.00 – 16.00

• Understand the barriers encountered when considering changes to how society is constructed

• Examine your own appetite for change and use of your power

• Explore the potential challenges of changing the narrative regarding equity in the academy

• Consider what anti-racist practice can do to ‘end the power of whiteness'

Part 3: Noticing and Learning from ‘Self’. Held on the 3rd June 2021, 13.00 – 16.00

• Engage in facilitated reflective practice focussed on self-work, and perspective shifting meta-skill development to support sustained anti-racist practice

• Reflective skills – a focus on: what you know, what you have learnt, what you noticed about yourself and your responses to the content of these sessions

Please note:

• For Part 1 and 2 the number for each group is capped at 30 students.

• For Part 3 there are only 15 places available to ensure a structured space with opportunity to engage with each participant. The rationale of this session will be explained by the facilitators on Day 1.

• The course will be run twice, once for Group A (1-3 June 2021) and once for Group B (8-10 June). Please only attend either Group A or Group B.

• All sessions will be held in the afternoon from 13.00 - 16.00.

• The impact of the COVID19 pandemic means that these sessions will be delivered online using zoom.

• There may be a small amount of pre-course reading material (e.g. info-graphs or short videos to watch).

• The deadline for registration is 27th May 2021

This course is suitable for students from all disciplines.