About Buckinghamshire New University
Our pioneering programme, decolonising the university, was developed in collaboration with Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) and is now available for purchase – and can be customised to fit the unique needs of any UK university.
Evolution of an eLearning course: from decolonising the curriculum, to decolonising the university
In its initial drafts, this course focused on decolonising the curriculum – reflecting the wider movement to recognise, question and amend the systemic biases present in many areas of education. However, recognising the need for a holistic approach, the content evolved to address all facets of university life in the UK, and to be relevant to staff in a wide variety of roles and business areas. It seeks not only to deconstruct and challenge the historical biases in academic content and pedagogy, but also more widely fosters an environment that respects and appreciates a diversity of perspectives and cultures.
In a university setting, this means addressing everything from faculty composition, teaching methods, institutional policies, research priorities, estates, and HR considerations, to the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds. It encompasses an overview of how the physical and emotional aspects of university spaces can be shaped by colonial legacies, and provides practical strategies for transforming these spaces into inclusive, equitable, and culturally diverse environments.
The move to extend the scope of the course from decolonising the curriculum to decolonising the entire university reflects a commitment to deep-rooted, systemic change.
“We understand that achieving true diversity and inclusion requires more than just changing what’s taught in classrooms,” says David Marshall, founder of Marshalls – now part of Ciphr Group. “It requires looking at every aspect of university life and asking hard questions about who it serves and who it excludes.”
Creating a more equitable experience for BNU students
“This module makes an important contribution to the ongoing process of decolonisation at BNU – a process that is also taking place across higher education, in UK society as a whole, and globally,” says Dr Simon Lee-Price, senior lecturer at BNU.
Lee-Price adds: “The adoption of a collaborative approach between Marshalls and the team at BNU in the design and development of the module has helped ensure we are able to meet the specific needs of our institution and best support our colleagues to create a more equitable and inclusive educational experience for all BNU students and contribute to building a more just society. For me, personally, the collaboration has provided a rich learning experience and I am looking forward to seeing the module among our decolonisation resources.”
The course is designed with utmost care for accessibility and compatibility. It has been developed to meet SCORM standards, making it compatible with a wide range of learning management systems.
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