Research carried out by Professor Kehinde Andrews demonstrated the need for systemic changes in education to address structural racism against people of African descent.
Research Summary
The work of Andrews investigated the highly problematic areas of education across Europe and especially in the UK. Andrews’ research challenged the Eurocentric nature of education through four influential journal works, released between 2018-2020.
Andrew's work influenced and contributed to global policy change in EU, UN and US legislature, shaped educational policy and pedagogy and improved policies within third sector organisations.
Research Background
Using qualitative analysis, in Andrew’s monograph ‘Back to Black’, and a peer-reviewed journal article emanating from an AHRC-funded research project , Andrews argued that racism is currently understood at the level of the nation-state rather than as an international phenomenon. Andrews states that this flawed perspective fails to challenge imperial narratives and prevents any serious progress for Black people.
Using Birmingham City University’s Black Studies course as a detailed case study, in Andrews highlighted the paradox of providing an alternative course in a Neoliberal environment. Whilst maintaining its values, Andrews suggests the Black Studies degree must consciously maintain an alternative space inside the academy as well as sustaining and reinforcing the connection within the community.
Andrews’ contribution to demonstrated a clear and urgent need for employing a more diverse staff base that would be able to develop stronger educational programs and maintain community in Higher Education institutions.
Outcomes and impact
Andrews contributed to a group of events that have laid the groundwork for changes in EU, UN and US legislature:
1. FRA report ‘Being Black in the EU. The report influenced the European Parliament Resolution of 19 June 2020 on the anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd.
2. People of African Descent (PAD) Week – The only higher Education representative. Andrews’ recommendations led to the EU Parliament Resolution on Fundamental Rights of People of African Descent. Together with Article 20 whereby the European Parliament requests member States to make the history of people of African descent part of their curricula and to present a comprehensive perspective on colonialism and slavery which recognizes the adverse effects on people of African descent.
3. Andrews co-led an “information gathering session” for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. The report called on member states to “take urgent steps to ensure representative and accurate accounts of slavery, colonialism and their contemporary legacies, including in their education systems”
BCU’s first Black Studies degree in Europe put Andrews at the centre of the global decolonisation movement, providing insights to the universities both nationally and internationally on how to change their curricula, as well as facilitating workshops.
Andrews also facilitated workshops with several non-governmental organisations, whose focus is on empowering people of African descent.
