Thread by @pykelets

"we have an enormous task ahead of us" - Anshuman Mondal introducing the @EnglishAssoc @IES_London @uniofeastanglia @UnivEnglish @PSA_poco Establishing a Decolonising Network seminar online now --> eventbrite.co.uk/e/establishing…

First up, Surya Simon and Arzhang Pezhman, UEA, on their work to develop a grassroots decolonising network, which aims "to remain a disruptive force while effecting embedded, sustainable institutional change" #decoloniseenglish

Followed by Dr Asha Rogers & @DrFarihaShaikh, Uni of Birmingham, on establishing a decolonising network there- holding workshops, establishing effective peer support, keeping things local & departmental to increase influence, bringing in students & alumni #decoloniseenglish

At Brighton, emphasis on students' involvement in curricula reform, auditing modules & organising panels and events - "out of 49 primary readings and film sources 34 were written/produced by white men". Excellent pres by recent graduate Rebecca Inniss #decoloniseenglish

Fantastic presentation from Paulette Ennever, Decolonising the Curriculum 4 Educators: “for 100s of years children have been part of an education system which has devalued the experience of the global majority” #decoloniseenglish

Reflects on "powerful destructive processes within the curriculum that have become the norm...the curriculum has been fixed for a purpose". Emphasises active whole-school staff-student engagement & importance of ppl feeling able to speak up & abt these issues #decoloniseenglish

Paulette Ennever notes that in schools students are beginning to question 'where is my history?' + to notice microagressions e.g. when those in power over them presume a Black student is poor without asking, or act surprised when a Black student is articulate #decoloniseenglish

She notes too that students in schools are asking about positive role models - *not just sportspeople* - but scientists, inventors, architects & about their contributions to societies *across the world* (not just in the UK) #decoloniseenglish

Paulette Ennever, Decolonising the Curriculum 4 Educators, finishes with reminder: "the more we can reach out to people & give people guides & ways to look at these issues" the more it "will help us to be stronger & (even) more of a force to be reckoned with” #decoloniseenglish

(the event is actually over now but I'm having a tweet-lag, will resume when I've had a cup of tea. Probably didn't need to use the hashtag on every tweet either but I've started now so will continue...)

Dr Shazia Jagot & @alexandrakreese from @UoYEnglish discussed their department's born multidisciplinary & multi-lingual literature modules.
Strong history of individual decolonising efforts in individual modules but now trying to join things up. #decoloniseenglish

Their aim within @UoYEnglish: to shift unconscious pedagogical position into a conscious + active one - not just *what* is taught but *how* it is taught. #decoloniseenglish

Emphasised involvement of @yorkunisu with decolonising work - students in partnership w academic staff, discussing perspectives on learning & teaching, unconscious bias etc. Also roundtable organised by library on how to decolonise & diversify their collection #decoloniseenglish

Jagot & Kingston-Reese warn abt dangerous institutional slippage btw decolonising + internationalisation, draw on Mignolo & Walsh _On Decoloniality_: always remember that decolonising is an active, political force that is “a way, option, standpoint, analytic, practice + praxis”

Both "chafe at just how ‘English’ literature is considered in the UK" & recommend @zugenia's 'Where do you know from?' exercise, which reminds us "even the most seemingly mundane academic structures & conventions can reproduce colonialist hierarchies of power” #decoloniseenglish

Lastly, @earlymodatLancs talks about teach outs at 2019 & 2020 #ucustrikes & returning from action changed by listening to (brilliantly, bluntly named) student-led 'Why is My Curriculum White?' campaign at Lancs Uni (@wimcwlancuni) co-chaired by @fabihaaskari #DecoloniseEnglish

.@fabihaaskari cites Built-in Barriers: The Role of Race in Shaping BME Student Experiences at Lancaster University (July 2020) - an independently researched report surveying 140+ students by Lancaster students who put in OVER 100 HOURS of their OWN time UNPAID #DecoloniseEnglish

65% of students surveyed by @wimcwlancuni feel course content is Eurocentric. One student reported not wanting to speak up in seminars for fear of being seen as ‘an angry woman of colour’ #DecoloniseEnglish

Decolonisation shouldn’t be a “patch” but should be “intentionally embroidered within the very fabric of the curriculum” - beautifully put by @fabihaaskari #DecoloniseEnglish

.@fabihaaskari stresses that "the most important thing departments can do for their students is simply to listen. Discussions between academics and students are priceless & must the foundation of decolonising efforts at any institution" #DecoloniseEnglish

Finally, @fabihaaskari @wimcwlancuni reminds us that #DecoloniseEnglish "must not become a moment but instead blossom into a movement"

This was such a rich, well put together, energising, inspiring and necessary discussion, thanks so much to all the presenters and facilitators. Had forgotten the live-tweeting adrenaline rush & half of this wasn't even live, phew!

A recording will be available on the @EnglishAssoc YouTube channel soon, I believe - in the meantime, find out more about the Decolonising the Discipline working group (which also includes @IES_London, @UnivEnglish, @PSA_poco & @uealdc): sites.google.com/brookes.ac.uk/… #DecoloniseEnglish