Decolonise The Curriculum 

We Believe 

At UCLan Students’ Union, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to study a diverse, inclusive and globalised curriculum. But, at the University of Central Lancashire, this isn't happening.  

The curriculum isn’t built for students. 

With 24% of UCLan students from a Black, Asian or other Minority Ethnic background, the curriculum should reflect who they are and their experiences. 

However, much of the current academia revolves around studying particular types of theorists or authors: those who are classical theorists who are white, outdated and cis-male.  

Your Elected Officers are campaigning to make change- we believe is important that students are able to study more women, trans and non-binary authors; more authors who define as LGBQIA+; more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Community authors; more culture; and ultimately have a more diverse curriculum.  

Students deserve to leave UCLan with a well-rounded and inclusive knowledge of their subject with the opportunity to learn it from different points of view and perspectives. 

Usman Kasaba, VP Education said: 

“It’s important that students are taught from a decolonised curriculum that does not offer a bias Eurocentric viewpoint but rather one that is more accurate, more inclusive and more representative of the real world and rich student body at UCLan.” 

 

Odette Yende, VP Welfare said: 
 

“To decolonise the curriculum is to acknowledge that our university consists of a wide range of diverse students from different backgrounds, cultures, sexualities and religions. This is an important campaign not only from an academic perspective but also from the perspective of our students‘ well-being. 
 
When students see themselves reflected in their course material they are more likely to engage and more importantly it helps them to see that success is not just for one demographic but for all demographics & that it is achievable and it is possible. 
 
It helps for students to have a greater sense of belonging within the university and its community because they’ll know that not only are they welcome but that they are seen and valued. 
 
This is a campaign that I worked on last year in my role as the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic representative for the Students’ Union alongside our previous VP Education Steph Lomas with whom all this would not be possible without. So let’s continue to fight, to be more inclusive and decolonise the curriculum.” 

 

The BAME Awarding Gap 

In 2019/20, the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Students Awarding Gap at UCLan was 9.3%, which was down from 14% the year preceding - however this could have been partly due to the introduction of a No Detriment Policy throughout the pandemic.  

This means that white students over the past few years have been awarded first-class or 2:1 degrees up to 14% more often than Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic UK students.  

The gap for Black students is significantly worse at 23%- which means black students are almost a quarter less likely to achieve a first or 2:1 degree at university.  

 

Across the UK 

It’s not just UCLan. In fact, just 24 out of 128 universities across the UK are committed to addressing reforms for decolonisation. (Guardian 2020) 

It is so important that UCLan and other universities make the commitment, show their support for ALL students and put steps in place to help make decolonisation happen.  

 

What Happens Next? 

Students need to: 

• Challenge perspectives 

• Challenge power 

• Challenge hierarchies 

In order to make universities listen, and commit to change in the classroom, on campus and within their own unconscious biases.  

 

Your Elected Officers have put together some postcards for you to fill in and return. Once completed, we will share directly with Heads of School to ensure your thoughts and voices are heard at the highest level with staff members who make important decisions about your course.  

The Officers will be hosting stalls and walking around campus over the next week for you to pick up a postcard to complete:

Monday: Student Centre, 12pm-1pm

Tuesday: Harrington Social Space, 12pm- 1pm

Thursdsay: Harrington Social Space, 12pm-1pm

Friday: Student Centre, 12pm-1pm

 

Find out more about decolonisation here with last year’s resources library.

Download your own postcard here.

(Please return all completed postcards to the Representation office on the first floor of the Students’ Union building - to the right of the Students’ Union café.)