Furthering Cultures of Decolonisation within Research 2023/24 Awards

Grand Challenges recently awarded funding under the special initiative theme Furthering Cultures of Decolonisation within Research in academic year 2023/24.

This special initiative sought to build upon ‘Cultures of Decolonisation of Research at UCL’ to support activities that can advance understanding, adoption, and impact of decolonisation in research initiatives. Project proposals were asked to focus on models for decolonisation of research or ethics of research, with supported activities encouraging engagement and movement that builds from the findings of the Cultures of Decolonisation at UCL report. In total, nearly 40 applications were received from all 11 faculties at UCL as well as Professional Services. The judging panel approved funding for 4 applications, with total funding of nearly £14,000 awarded.

Professor Audrey Prost and Professor Douglas Bourn, Co-Chairs of the Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding Working Group commented: 

“We are delighted to see a great response to the Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding’s latest special initiative call 'Furthering Cultures of Decolonisation within Research'. We are impressed by the breadth of expertise at UCL, quality of submissions and readiness of the community to work together and support activities that can advance understanding, adoption, and impact of decolonisation within research initiatives. We look forward to seeing how the projects develop and the outputs and impacts that follow."

Summary details of the projects awarded are below:

Politics and Archaeology student-staff-community ‘Fieldtrip and Storytelling Workshop’ in Whitechapel

£3,936

Ms Sarah Wolferstan, Institute of Archaeology, Social and Historical Sciences 
Dr Adam Harris, Department of Political Science, Social and Historical Sciences 

Decolonisation, Ethics and Reflexivity

£4,000

Dr Christine Callender, Department of Learning and Leadership, Institute of Education 
Dr Amanda McClory, Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, Institute of Education 

A Glossary of Decolonial Terms: Transforming Research Practices in the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at UCL

£4,000

Mrs Sara Shafiei, Bartlett School of Architecture, Faculty of the Built Environment 
Ms Felicity Atekpe, Bartlett School of Architecture, Faculty of the Built Environment 

Decolonising Doctoral Supervision and Research at UCL

£2,000

Dr Emma Jones, Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, Institute of Education 
Dr Leda Kamenopoulou, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education