CISH 2026
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Decolonizing Universities: Then, Today, and in the Future

  • Date

    V. Friday, 28.08.2026, 08:30-10:30

  • Location
    House 1 - T-1003
  • Theme
    H - The Institutional Setting

Abstract

The decolonization of universities is an ongoing and evolving process that seeks to dismantle colonial legacies in higher education systems worldwide. Historically, universities have been instrumental in perpetuating Eurocentric knowledge systems, marginalizing Indigenous, African, Asian, and other non-Western epistemologies. Early efforts to challenge these structures emerged alongside national liberation movements, advocating for curricula and policies that reflect diverse intellectual traditions and cultural perspectives. Today, decolonization in universities manifests through curriculum reform, inclusive pedagogy, institutional restructuring, and increased recognition of Indigenous and marginalized scholars. Universities are engaging in supporting, acknowledging and including community-based knowledge production, critical self-reflection, acknowledging their colonial pasts, and striving for equitable representation in faculty, research methodologies, and student bodies. However, systemic barriers persist, including entrenched power hierarchies, resource inequalities, and resistance to change. Looking ahead, the future of decolonisation in academia requires sustained commitment and innovative strategies. The question is how this will be achieved. How do we foster greater global intellectual exchanges, support community-based knowledge production, and reimagine the university as a space for pluralistic and decolonial scholarship? For example, what role will digital technologies, open-access knowledge, and transnational collaborations play in shaping inclusive, decolonised academic environments? To further this critical conversation, we invite scholars, educators, and activists to share their research and experiences on decolonizing universities. We welcome contributions that explore historical perspectives, contemporary challenges, and future possibilities for dismantling colonial structures in higher education. Those interested in presenting their work are encouraged to submit proposals that critically engage with the complexities of decolonization across disciplines and global contexts.

Convenor

  • Sven Olofsson   (Mid Sweden University)

Panelists

  • Denise I. Bossy (University of North Florida)
  • Keith Ashley (University of North Florida)
  • Radhika Seshan (Savitribai Phule Pune University)
  • Helen Margaret Murray (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))
  • Camilla Olofsson Båatas (Mid Sweden University)

Papers

  • Decolonizing Indigenous History in Florida, USA.

    Denise I. Bossy, Keith Ashley

  • The continuance of colonial constructs in the decolonised university in India

    Radhika Seshan

  • Growing Indigenous Perspectives in Teacher Education: Challenges, Strategies, and Institutional Change

    Helen Margaret Murray

  • Decolonizing Archaeology: Combining Indigenous and Academic Epistemologies for New Knowledge on South Saami History

    Camilla Olofsson Båatas