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Bath Anti-Racist Forum




09-07-2020

BATH

EVENT






In July 2020, the team at Decolonise Architecture led an unprecedented online forum within the Department of Architecture at the University of Bath. Featuring Department staff and the student body, the forum discussed change within the course and structure; and formed the basis of the Action Points upon which the DA collective works today.







Colonialist thinking is pervasive throughout every aspect of design, not only in the content of our courses, but how we conceive of the built environment and its creation. It’s all our responsibility to challenge this. This should open up a wider debate about the traditional role of the architect and how new forms of practice might deliver social and environmental justice. This can only be done through questioning assumptions and challenging the status quo through encouraging a broad range of perspectives.”





-  University of Bath Architectural Department Staff response
 






The aim of this forum was to create an open and inclusive space to start the conversation between students, alumni, and department staff to create an educational experience that is inclusive for all.


We believe that this will give students the ability to design for the betterment of the global community. As an anti-imperialist student group, our primary aim is to eliminate institutional discrimination through the department’s educational curriculum, admissions and practices. We believe in a future where the industry is gender and racially diverse and does not facilitate or perpetuate systemic racism by being truly ethical.  


The event featured preliminary audience talks followed by smaller breakout groups to discuss potential changes. The ideas from the forum were condensed into a report and led to nine action points which have since de  ned our mission – for instance looking at how social issues are presented, and ensuring social context including slavery or colonialism is included alongside case studies.
Read the whole report here.





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