‘Where do we fit in?’ Black and Asian British History on the Curriculum

This event will bring together scholars, artists and activists to discuss the presence and absence of black and minority ethnic Britons on the UK’s National Curriculum and seek to celebrate the contributions of Britons, of all backgrounds, to the history of the United Kingdom.

A panel of contributors will discuss ways that BME British experiences have been marginalised from the histories taught in schools, and how teachers, scholars, community leaders, and politicians can work to ensure that these stories and experiences are taught and understood as British History.

How can we make the teaching of history more inclusive and less Eurocentric? Is it time to teach the British movement for civil rights? What are the implications of the ways we teach and understand British history for public history, memory and policy making?

Rather than following a standard panel format, this event will also include space for the audience to experience black and Asian British cultural contributions. The evening will include special contributions by poets and performers, including Momtaza Mehri, the Young People’s Laureate for London, and Hannah Lowe.

Confirmed panelists include: Afua Hirsh, broadcaster and author of Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging; Dr Jonathan Saha (University of Leeds), co-author of the Royal Historical Society’s Race, Ethnicity and Equality Report; Professor Claire Alexander (University of Manchester), project leader of Our Migration Story, and Professor Hakim Adi (University of Chichester), project leader of History Matters. Additional panelists to be announced.

This event is presented in partnership by the Runnymede Trust and the Institute of Historical Research.