The University of Cambridge and our funders have historically benefited from colonial advantages, which have led to the establishment of power and privilege. Their legacy is intertwined with the exploitation and extraction of resources from colonised regions, contributing to their current prominence and resources. Acknowledging this colonial history is essential in research involving communities who have felt disenfranchised from science. We recognise that the privilege of even having this website and our academic platform is shaped by historical injustices and systemic inequalities, affecting the dynamics of public engagement about science.
Acknowledging privilege involves actively engaging in self-reflection, learning about the institutions’ historical role and striving for equitable partnerships. Such self-reflection is operationalised via the personal commitment and training in anti-racist practices that the core team have participated in. We seek to mitigate power imbalances, foster transparency and promote genuine and authentic collaboration with all of our partners.
Collaborative decision-making, co-designing research, and involving community leaders empower marginalised groups in the research process – we have partnered with community engagement experts, Centric, in the design of this project. By acknowledging its colonial past, and involving marginalised communities as partners in research, small steps are taken towards cultivating ethical research relationships that honour the principles of fairness, justice and respect.