Social work departments at Hope Africa University (HAU) (Burundi) and Oxford Brookes University (OBU) (UK) created an innovative buddying programme for their students. The project design and evaluation were based on the Burundian principle ‘Ikibiri’ (working together) and the African principle ‘Ubuntu’ (I am because we are). Although this project stemmed from the need to decolonise curricula in the UK, it was mutually beneficial: students from both institutions learned about social work from another culture and strengthened their communication skills. Evaluation of the project took a decolonial lens, attempting to examine the extent to which students experienced a sense of Ubuntu. This chapter will share lessons learned in attempting to decolonise teaching and research, and inspire others to do the same.
Taylor, Louise Childs, JillMuchiri, SusanKing, Naomi Wanjagi, DianaCharles, Frankii
Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development
Year of publication: 2024Date of RADAR deposit: 2024-03-05