Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, the University of Oxford issued a statement on anti-racism:  In light of the traumatic effect of the killing of George Floyd, and the global focus it has brought to communities and organisations to take further action on racism, the University is reaffirming its unequivocal abhorrence of and opposition to racism against Black and Minority Ethnic people and discrimination in all its forms. We are committed to addressing systemic racism wherever it may be found, including within our own community¹.

As a result, the University (including its colleges and departments) is engaged in a wide range of actions aimed at addressing and changing historical institutional racism and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours, and supporting Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students and staff.  These actions include:

• diversifying governance
• examining academic research and teaching, including modernising curriculums
• diversifying the body of academic scholars through the TORCH Global South Visiting Professorships and Fellowships and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Visiting Fellows Programme
• investigating crucial areas like why COVID-19 appears to have impacted BME communities more than others
• improving access to Oxford to prospective students from BME backgrounds e.g. securing more BME scholarships
• supporting BME students whilst they are at Oxford
• assessing what is being taught, and how BME staff are recruited and supported

In line with the University’s aims, PHC is actively participating in anti-racism through: 

• creating this anti-racism resource page, which all members of the department are invited to contribute to
• encouraging staff and students to undertake the anti-racism and diversity training provided by University’s Equality and Diversity Unit²
• engaging with the Race Equality Task Force Consultation - a set of proposed interventions open to all current students and staff from the University and colleges
• developing a Learning Group to work through Layla Saad’s workbook to Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World
• running seminars/researcher skill swap session(s) on ‘recruiting more diverse respondents in our research’
• supporting staff and students to be anti-racism allies/co-conspirators/diversity champions
• encouraging departmental members to use their privilege to amplify supressed voices and to have conversations with people who are unaware of the everyday existence of or deny racism.
• speaking up and/or reporting bullying, harassment and racist behaviour

We will use the weekly departmental Newsletter to announce workshops, new resources and upcoming activities so that everyone has the opportunity to benefit and engage with what is happening in the department.

1.  Statement from the University on anti-racism | University of Oxford
2. Anti-Racism Ally Network | Equality and Diversity Unit (ox.ac.uk)

Resources for broadening your knowledge and understanding:

• Anti-Racism Ally Network | Equality and Diversity Unit (ox.ac.uk)
• 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge — America & Moore (eddiemoorejr.com): For 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity.
• Critical Race Theory (CRT) | BERA: Overview of CRT which proposes that any analysis of society must take into account its history of racism and the role race has played in shaping attitudes and institutions. CRT often overlaps with discussions of systemic racism, the ways policies, procedures and institutions work to perpetuate racial inequity.
• ABC7 Listens 'Allies in Action: A Bay Area Conversation' - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com): Interesting discussion on allyship.
• Show Racism the Red Card - News and Events : SRtRC is the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity
• Home | The Acumen Group
• Race Resources: Find resources to help with equality, justice and race issues - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com)
• Eventbrite: a vast source of discussions, seminars and workshops on anti-racism and diversity