Season 3
Episode 31: Stephanie Davis: Critical Psychology, queer activism and “Intersectional Richness”
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by author, educator and activist Dr. Stephanie Davis, based at Nottingham Trent University. Starting things off with growing up as a teen in 90s Britain, Stephanie opens up about the representations she was exposed to and the influences that helped her to construct her identity. We reflect on her journey into Critical Psychology and radical organising before Stephanie discusses her PhD research and her interests in the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality and subjectivity, and how we might start off a conversation about decolonising gender and sexuality. We also have the honour of speaking to Stephanie about her new book ‘Queer and Trans People of Colour in the UK: Possibilities for Intersectional Richness’, which explores the meanings of Queer and Trans People of Colour (QTPOC) activist groups in the UK, considering the tensions around inclusion and belonging across lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) and of colour communities and wider British society.
Listen to the episode – Transcript [PDF] – Stephanie’s website
Episode 32: Drea Asibey: The Black Experience at PWIs, student organising and youth activism
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by Drea Asibey. Drea is a Ghanaian-British-Canadian Cultural Producer, Curator and Educator with an interest in celebrating and championing Black stories, cultures and histories. She works in a museum as a Youth Programme Producer and is also currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Black Humanities at the University of Bristol. Drea completed a Bachelor’s in Classics and African Studies at McGill University in Montreal, QC, Canada. In the episode, we discuss her academic background in particular, the experience of being Black in predominantly white institutions in the UK and the land we now call Canada. She also shares some insight into her time at the National Union of Students on the Decolonise Education Campaign before opening up about how we can empower young people to participate in political activism.
Connect with her on LinkedIn (Andreann Asibey), Instagram (@dreaasibey) and on Twitter (@maameafiadwumaa)
Listen to episode – Transcript [PDF]
Episode 33: Decolonising Fashion Society: Addressing coloniality in the fashion industry and fashion pedagogies
The Decolonising Fashion Society is a community of fashion students and creatives committed to raising questions about coloniality in the context of fashion and creating safe spaces where these conversations can be held. The society is based at Central Saint Martins, a college at the University of the Arts London. In this episode of the podcast, our host Kyra Araneta is in conversation with some of the society’s members to discuss their upbringings and academic background, the society itself and what it means for them, and what it means to decolonise Fashion as a colonial discipline. You can keep up with the Decolonising Fashion Society via Instagram (@decolonising_fashion)
Listen to episode – Transcript [PDF]
Episode 34: Nayyar Hussain: Growing up in London, gentrification and the effects on working-class youth
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by Westminster PhD student and educator Nayyar Hussain. We discuss growing up in Kilburn and navigating higher education as working-class women of colour. Nayyar also talks about her journey into doing her PhD straight after her Bachelor’s, before sharing the scope of her research on gentrification, urban regeneration and its effects on working class youth.
Listen to episode – Transcript [PDF]
Episode 35: Annapurna Menon: Understanding the coloniality of postcolonial nation-states and ‘Debunking Hindutva Appropriation of Decolonial Thought’
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by educator, Dr Annapurna Memon, based at the University of Sheffield. Annapurna finished her PhD in 2022 where her research focused on the coloniality of postcolonial nation-states, specifically studying the Indian nation-state’s exercise of power in Kashmir and Jammu. In this episode, we discuss Annapurna’s academic background, her article: Debunking Hindutva Appropriation of Decolonial Thought, and the importance of understanding the strengths and shortcomings of traditional decolonial theory and practice. To read Annapurna’s article, click here!
Listen to episode – Transcript [PDF]
Episode 36: Sharon Stein: ‘Unsettling the University: Confronting the Colonial Foundations of US Higher Education’
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by assistant professor and author, Dr Sharon Stein, who is currently based at the University of British Columbia. Sharon is a white settler scholar whose research examines educational questions at the interface of systemic colonial violence and ecological unsustainability. In this episode we discuss growing up in the US and Sharon’s academic background in Anthropology, Sociology and Education Studies. We delve into some of the key points raised in her book ‘Unsettling the University Confronting the Colonial Foundations of US Higher Education’ before unpacking the importance of understanding our context and developing stamina for doing decolonial work in HE. Purchase Sharon’s book here! And find out more about the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures Collective via their website here.
Listen to episode – Transcript [PDF]
Episode 37: Jo Krishnakumar: ‘Moving Towards Radical Love in Organising Spaces’
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by PhD researcher, Jo Krishnakumar (they/them), based at SOAS, University of London. Jo is a Junior Fellow at the Center for Applied Transgender Studies and the Communications Coordinator at the National Network of Sex Workers. Their research examines the intersections of documentary film, leadership networks and the sex workers’ rights movement in South India. In this episode, we discuss how casteism sometimes manifests in childhood, the PhD journey for Jo so far, as well as some of the key points raised in their article: Moving toward Radical Love in Organizing Spaces. Read Jo’s article here!
Listen to episode — Transcript [PDF]
Episode 38: Suhraiya Jivraj and Ahmed Memon: ‘Carving out decolonial spaces in higher education through student-staff partnership’
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by a reader in Law and Social Justice, Dr Suhraiya Ahmed based at the University of Kent, and Dr Ahmed Memon, a senior lecturer at the Cardiff School of Law and Politics. In this episode, we discuss their journeys into higher education and some of their major influences. We then delve into their previous work together at the University of Kent, specifically their engagement with student-staff partnership as a praxis. And finally, we reflect on some of their theorising of this topic in the context of decoloniality and fostering spaces of ‘continuing resistance through re-existence’. Read their article, ‘Trust, courage and silence: carving out decolonial spaces in higher education through student–staff partnerships’ here!
Listen to the episode — Transcript [PDF]
Episode 39: rashné limki: Can we decolonise Organisation Studies?
In this episode of the podcast our host Fatima Maatwk is joined by lecturer in Work and Organisation Studies at the University of Edinburgh Business School, Dr Rashne Limki. In this episode, we discuss Rashne’s journey through higher education in particular the disciplinary shifts across Engineering, Politics, Race and Ethnic studies, and now Work and Management. We also reflect on her own pedagogies and practice as well as how we might begin to address coloniality in higher education and decolonise Organisation Studies.
Listen to the episode — Transcript [PDF]
Episode 40: Pasi Ahohen: Can we decolonise Business Management and Marketing?
In this episode of the podcast our host Fatima Maatwk is joined by lecturer in Business Management and Marketing at the University of Essex Business School, Dr Pasi Ahohen. In this episode, we reflect on Pasi’s journey through higher education across different disciplines and contexts. We then discuss his ideas about how we might begin to rethink the traditional systems and practices within the Business School before considering the complex entanglements between EDI and decolonial approaches.
Listen to the episode — Transcript [PDF]
Episode 41: Himalaya Gohel: Exploring the myths and histories of Dalit communities and decolonising Anthropology as a discipline
In this episode of the podcast our host Kyra Araneta is joined by PhD researcher, Himalay Kishorkumar Gohel based at SOAS, University of London. In this episode, we discuss Himalay’s upbringing and Dalit identity, his journey through higher education and the shift from Performance Studies to Anthropology, and his PhD research which explores the myths and histories of Dalit Communities in India. Towards the end of the episode, we consider how we might begin to decolonise Anthropology as a discipline, taking into account its imperial roots and reflecting on Himalay’s own pedagogies and practice.
Listen to the episode — Transcript [PDF]
Episode 42/43: The Decolonial Voyageurs at Laurentian University (Takeover)
The conversation in this two-part “takeover” episode is among Kora-Belle Rajcevic, Kristie Patterson, Casey Sigurdson, Lindsay Mayhew, and Mrinalini Greedharry, based at Laurentian University in the land colonially known as Canada. Across the two parts, they share their experiences in their English Literature and Writing program, specifically how they came to be introduced to postcolonial and decolonial theory and perspectives. They also reflect on the structure of their institution in terms of its location and its recent restructure due to insolvency. While discussing the impact this has had on their teaching and learning practices, the group considers the lessons that can be learnt and how we might begin to build community and nurture critical thinking in our classrooms and institutions.
Listen to Part 1 — Transcript [PDF]
Listen to Part 2 — Transcript [PDF]