Professor Mirza asks ‘how do we situate the raced and gendered ‘other’ in everyday discourse and why and how marginalised groups articulate alternative world views’. Fundamental to the process of decolonisation is an understanding of the way we ‘talk’ about race and gender and social justice in our taken for granted systems of knowledge and power.

Professor Mirza (above, left) looks at postcolonial theories of difference and critically investigates how knowledge of the other is embodied and reproduced through the pedagogic practices in teaching and learning in higher education.

Through the perspectives of Black and postcolonial feminists, an appreciation of the centrality of agency and voice in creating alternative world views is gained.

In this discussion Professor Mirza critically evaluates the importance of raced, gendered and classed power relations inherent in everyday cultural perspectives and practices.

Heidi Safia Mirza is Emeritus Professor of Equality Studies in Education at UCL Institute of Education, University of London and Visiting Professor of Race, Faith and Culture at Goldsmith’s College and Social Policy at LSE.