Decolonising the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum: A student staff collaboration

In 2020, the University of Glasgow student organisation Health Care Students Against Racism and the Nursing & Health Care teaching team developed our first “Decolonising the Curriculum” Plan. Efforts to address discrimination in the learning environment, and to encourage reflection and candour around current practices, can enhance the learning and teaching experience. Importantly, this work prepares students to challenge prejudice and discrimination in health care organisations and contribute to the culture change within the profession. The Black Lives Matter movement was the catalyst for this activity. Both students and staff felt a responsibility and willingness to act. Given the nature and scope of this issue, and the need for systematic and cultural change, identifying a meaningful and realistic course of action was challenging. The resulting plan is not exhaustive but provides a starting point with practical goals such as the adaptation or enhancement of existing content and the development of new materials. The plan also highlights higher aims where wider efforts from across the university, and beyond, are required to make substantial change to the learning environment and organisational culture, for example, greater diversity in academic staff. The collaboration was a positive and productive experience. From staff, the students’ knowledge and energy provided substantial support in identifying resources and developing materials. Students experienced respect for their knowledge and saw their efforts translated to practice. Furthermore, this collaboration has stimulated discussion and generated further ideas for collaborative action (for example, a network for students and alumni from Racial and Ethnic Minority groups.) In this session, we will reflect on the process and experience of developing the plan, from student and staff perspectives, and present the key components of the plan. We welcome debate on our approach and hope our ideas will support others progressing this important work in their own institutions