Goldsmiths to offer MA in black British history
Goldsmiths, University of London has become the first UK university to offer an MA in black British history. Based in the university’s Department of History, the course, which launches in September 2019, will explore topics such as black Tudors, African and West Indian immigration to Britain, and black involvement during both world wars.
“Black British history is a growing and exciting field of historical enquiry but is still relatively underrepresented at all levels of UK education,” says Dr John Price, senior lecturer and head of history at Goldsmiths. “A recent report on race, ethnicity and equality by the Royal Historical Society (RHS) showed that the number of black and minority ethnic students and staff remains low in UK history departments. This new MA is intended to help address that and to provide an opportunity for people to explore and study aspects of history that are, perhaps, less well known to them.”
The RHS report “demonstrates that not enough is being done to promote black British history in UK schools and universities”, argues Dr Price, “and that insufficient efforts are being made to encourage the study of history among BME students.” The department is currently exploring options for fee-waivers and bursaries to support primary and secondary teachers to undertake the new MA and hopes to see a commitment to curriculum change as a result.
Historians Olivette Otele and Sadiah Quereshi discuss diversity in history on our podcast: historyextra. com/ diversity- podcast