Decolonisation in the Department of Music

The Department of Music acknowledges an urgent need to address issues of decolonisation in Music Studies and within our learning and research.

In recent years, there have been increasing calls across the university sector for the decolonisation of curricula.

Since 2020, we have launched various forums, welcoming staff and students, for debate and to develop change.

Among the initiatives resulting from these processes are:

Our EDI Discussion Group, which meets regularly through the academic year to consider relevant themes, texts and media as basis for reflection on our own structures and practices. Beginning in 2020 as the Decolonisation Reading Group, it has since expanded to consider intersections of various EDI-related concerns. Read full details about the group [LINK TO NEW PAGE].

Decolonising the Curriculum Internships, a multi-year project employing paid interns to devise and carry out research projects identifying and addressing the influences of coloniality in our curriculum. Over several years, interns have produced research reports, resources, and activities that have been central to decolonising action in the Department of Music and have influenced debates across the university.

Morgan Wicks

Harriett Nevin (l) and Amelia Awan

Decolonising the Curriculum Internship projects since 2021:

• Amelia Awan and Harriet Nevin | “Global Perceptions of National Style in Taiwanese Music” poster
• Abigail Cawte and Morgan Wicks | “Pathways onto a Music Degree” podcast
• Aoife Galvin | “Decolonising the Music Curriculum” reading and resources list
• Hannah Foster | “What is Decolonisation and Why Should It Matter to Me?” workshop for new students
• Molly Knox | “Students Decolonisation Survey” report

See the results of recent Decolonising the Curriculum Internships across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.