Decolonising knowledge with Ola Uduku and Martin Atela

Since the start of the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC), we’ve been interested in trying to create more equitable partnerships and processes through the process. The rupture of the Covid-19 pandemic provided us with some opportunities, plus added impetus following reflections within the sector catalysed by the Black Lives Matter movement.

From the outset, we’ve been exploring ways in which we could decolonise the ACRC approach by helping to shift the culture and practice of knowledge creation, which is currently built upon hugely unequal power systems. Of course, we are not starting from scratch but building on traditions of knowledge co-production between diverse groups involved in urban research. As such, we’re focusing on three main areas: structural issues, communication practices and methodological practices.

To explore some of these issues, ACRC's uptake director Martin Atela and strategic alignment group member Professor Ola Uduku sat down with our communications manager Chris Jordan, to give their perspectives on decolonisation.

Ola Uduku is head of school at the Liverpool School of Architecture, a member of ACRC's strategic alignment group and co-lead of the housing domain.

Martin Atela is research and policy programme manager at the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) and ACRC's uptake director.

Chris Jordan is communications and impact manager for the Global Development Institute at The University of Manchester, and ACRC's communications manager.

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Music: Brighter Days | Broke in Summer

Sounds: Zapsplat

This podcast presents the views of the speakers featured and does not necessarily represent the views of the African Cities Research Consortium as a whole.

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