Through the Decolonial Critique, the network focusses on decolonising various aspects of academia, such as: research methods; citation practices; pedagogy; curricula; institutional hierarchies; and other related areas. Recognising that there are a number of contested approaches to understanding coloniality/decoloniality, the network welcomes diverse perspectives to the discussion.
The network does not only focus on the harms of colonialism and neo-colonialism, but also on the potential harms of purported efforts to decolonise. The purpose of the network is to: discuss topics relating to coloniality/decoloniality; coordinate online and in-person events; facilitate collaboration; share research resources; share teaching materials; and nurture a supportive and inclusive community.
Dr Leon Moosavi shares:
"This network aims to provide a welcoming space for people from all backgrounds to come together, share ideas, and build partnerships as we attempt to navigate the possibility of decolonial alternatives".
The network was established in 2021 by Dr Leon Moosavi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool.
The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM), in conjuction with Dr Leon Moosavi, hosted a free webinar series 'Decolonial Research Methods: Resisting Coloniality in Academic Knowledge Production'.
Comprising of six webinars, the series aimed to prompt researchers to reflect on the ways in which academic research may either reinforce or dislodge colonial discourses.
Past event highlights
The Decolonial Critique have hosted several events recently, including:
August 2024 - a launch event for a special issue of the Irish Journal of Sociology entitled 'Decolonising Academia'.
April 2024 - a critical discussion about abolitionist university studies with Eli Meyerhoff.
December 2023 - a critical discussion about decolonial writing within academic frameworks.
August 2023 - a critical discussion about Joseph-Salisbury’s and Connelly’s book: Anti-Racist Scholar Activism (2021).
April 2023 - a critical discussion about Paulo Freire's book: Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1968).
June 2022 - a symposium in which members presented on topics relating to: masculinity in colonial settings, PAR and Indigenous research methods, colonial art, and technological tools for assessing coloniality.
March 2022 - a symposium in which members presented on topics relating to: decolonising the curriculum, decolonising cyberspace, migrant worker rights, and the construction of caste in archival sources.
Join the network
If you'd like to join the network, please express your interest via the link: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/The-Decolonial-Critique. We welcome new perspectives to the discussion.
Find out more
- Visit Dr Leon Moosavi's staff profile
- Learn more about the Department's Research Clusters on their webpages
- Learn more about the Department's research impact
- Visit the Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology webpages
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