Since the launch of our race equality training for students in 2019, feedback from students has shown they are eager to learn more about the history and context of contemporary racism. The lasting effects of the British Empire and colonialism are rarely taught in schools, and slavery is often presented as ‘ancient history’ with no lasting material effects on British life. And without a foundational understanding of what racism is on a historical, social and political level, it becomes impossible to understand the contemporary, far-reaching problems racism creates and continues to perpetrate.

We created this video series to examine slavery, colonialism and other aspects of the history of racism, to create a better understanding of how Britain was and continues to be shaped by their impacts. Our aim was to make the videos educationally robust whilst also being engaging and hopeful, emphasising how people have challenged racism and colonialism across the Empire and within Britain throughout history. We wanted our students to feel excited to be part of the change after watching them, not despondent.

This video features researchers from History, Politics, Geography and Lifelong learning, as they discuss the history of British colonialism and - most importantly - how those effects are still felt today.

Produced by: Kieran Bentley, Santhana Gopalakrishnan, Muna Ali

Camera, Editing, Animation: Kieran Bentley