Course: Decolonization in Contemporary Science and Research: Unveiling Histories, Challenging Practices
Venue
The concept of decolonization has gained significant attention and momentum in recent years across academic, social, and political spheres. Decolonization extends to various aspects of society, including culture, education, politics, and economics. Ravaka Andriamihaja and Medinat Malefakis host a course on Decolonization at the University of Bern for the Spring semester 2024.
The course provides a space for researchers based at the University of Bern, who are interested in the topic of Decolonization, to exchange, discuss, learn, and define actions. It involves dismantling hegemonies, power hierarchies, and knowledge systems. Through critical examination and action, this course seeks to raise awareness of the challenges and complexities in doing decolonial research and practices; to uncover the colonial legacy of many top-down research methods, approaches, institutions, and processes; and to give a number of practical concepts and tools to begin the journey towards decolonization. The course will revolve around three of the most important aspects of decolonization in the academic landscape: research collaboration, knowledge production and dissemination, and curricula and research institutions.