Authored by: Caroline Chapain, Anita Lateano, Rweyemamu Ndibalema and Emma Surman

Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK

Decolonisation is not about the integration of more diverse groupings into established systems and structures, it is about changing these systems and structures and the way things are done. To embrace decolonisation as a business school and as responsible educators, researchers and community partners, requires acknowledgement of one’s own experiences and to challenge orthodoxy and established ways of thinking and doing.

This means conducting research, educating students and working together in ways that consider the history, boundaries and limitations of the knowledge already created, while also making space for the full spectrum of philosophies, theories, knowledge systems, experiences and practices within all that is done within a business school. It also requires the questioning of power relations and inequalities that are (albeit unintentionally) (re)produced in day-to-day processes. It is important to recognise that making such changes, may be uncomfortable, for ourselves and others.

“As an independent publisher, Sage is committed to publishing papers that address societal problems and drive social change,” said Kiren Shoman, executive vice president, editorial and global executive lead, DEI at Sage. “Decolonisation challenges colonial systems, structures and relationships and it has the potential to significantly change power dynamics. This report is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.” 

Author Caroline Chapain said, "Decolonisation is a collective endeavour that needs to be anchored in context. By sharing how we have approached putting decolonisation into practice in our School, we hope to provide some practical and adaptable principles and insights that can help other business schools pursuing this work in their own contexts." 

Co-author Emma Surman added, "Decolonising education is not just about adding diverse perspectives but fundamentally rethinking and restructuring the way we teach and learn." 

This report contains reflections and experiences following work to decolonise a business school in the UK and aims to contribute to the practices of decolonising in situ. The approach is based on a set of principles that was developed over a 3-year period. This case report will be helpful to others as they engage with this important work in their own contexts.

Download the case report and explore our curated collection featured at the end, looking at Sage books, journals, and learning resources on decolonisation. These include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Business & Management, Indigenous Management, relevant academic journals, and a range of learning resources such as the free to access Indigenous Business Stories Project (part of Sage Business Cases), the Social Justice Collection (part of Sage Video), the Diversifying and Decolonizing Research Collection (part of Sage Research Methods), and Sage Campus courses such as Unlocking Voices: Research with Historically Marginalized Communities and Conducting Culturally Responsive Research.