Decolonising social sciences curricula - an exchange between campuses within formerly colonising and colonised contexts

This project focuses on decolonising social sciences education at Monash University’s Australian and Malaysian campuses and the University of Warwick in the UK. Decolonising education means removing the dominance of Western, Eurocentric perspectives and bringing in ideas, voices, and knowledge from diverse, often marginalised communities. The goal is to create a fairer, more inclusive curriculum that better represents global viewpoints and experiences.

The collaboration between Monash and Warwick will combine their strengths. They aim to rethink social sciences courses by examining current teaching methods and materials, identifying biases, and including a broader range of cultural perspectives. This will benefit students and staff by broadening understanding and creating a more balanced approach to education.

The project will be conducted in three phases. First, workshops will be held at each campus to discuss the best ways to decolonise the curriculum. Staff and students will shape the project’s direction, ensuring their local context and experiences are considered. The second phase will focus on gathering and sharing resources, such as teaching tools and reading lists, that support a more inclusive curriculum. Finally, the third phase will focus on writing and sharing the results through academic papers and practical tools that other universities can use.

Challenging traditional Western-focused education will create a more diverse and inclusive learning environment. The tools and methods developed through this collaboration will help other universities make similar changes. Ultimately, the project will contribute to a more just and equitable education system that better reflects the world’s diversity.