Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparations
Explore the challenges of decolonising museums, focusing on repatriation, reparations, and ethical dilemmas, with an interactive session inside the British Museum.
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This one-day course examines the challenges faced by museums in addressing their colonial legacies. It focuses on the debates surrounding the repatriation of artefacts, the concept of reparations, and the ethical implications of these practices.
Through discussions and a visit to the British Museum, participants will critically explore how museums are responding to calls for decolonisation and what this means for cultural heritage in the 21st century.
What will we cover?
• The history and legacy of colonial collecting practices • On-site case studies of repatriation efforts and their outcomes • The ethics of reparations and museum practices • Decolonisation initiatives in museums worldwide • An interactive exploration of relevant collections at the British Museum
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the historical context of colonial collecting and its lasting impact on museums
Critically assess the debates surrounding repatriation and reparations
Identify key ethical challenges facing museums in decolonising their collections
Engage with case studies and collections to explore the complexities of these issues
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will entail mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No added costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note-taking or a digital equivalent.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Your tutor will share their courses with you during your session,
Olivia Durand is global historian doing work and teaching on the politics of history and memory, settler colonialism and colonial port cities in addition to the history of 19th century Russia, Ukraine and America. Olivia has worked at Oxford University, the Free University in Berlin and the Institute of Historical Justice and Reconciliation in the Hague and is keen to offer more courses at City Lit.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/decolonising-museums-the-challenges-of-reparations2990798Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage22851177117819071228511771178<p>Explore the challenges of decolonising museums, focusing on repatriation, reparations, and ethical dilemmas, with an interactive session inside the British Museum.</p>002990786Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparations6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-06-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHMI616969Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparations554569Olivia Duranddecolonising-museums-the-challenges-of-reparations/hmi61-2526<p>Explore the challenges of decolonising museums, focusing on repatriation, reparations, and ethical dilemmas, with an interactive session inside the British Museum.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-05 00:00:00<p>This one-day course examines the challenges faced by museums in addressing their colonial legacies. It focuses on the debates surrounding the repatriation of artefacts, the concept of reparations, and the ethical implications of these practices.</p><p><br/>Through discussions and a visit to the British Museum, participants will critically explore how museums are responding to calls for decolonisation and what this means for cultural heritage in the 21st century.<br/> </p><p>Explore the challenges of decolonising museums, focusing on repatriation, reparations, and ethical dilemmas, with an interactive session inside the British Museum.</p><p>• The history and legacy of colonial collecting practices<br/>• On-site case studies of repatriation efforts and their outcomes<br/>• The ethics of reparations and museum practices<br/>• Decolonisation initiatives in museums worldwide<br/>• An interactive exploration of relevant collections at the British Museum<br/> </p><ul><li>Understand the historical context of colonial collecting and its lasting impact on museums</li><li>Critically assess the debates surrounding repatriation and reparations</li><li>Identify key ethical challenges facing museums in decolonising their collections</li><li>Engage with case studies and collections to explore the complexities of these issues</li></ul><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>This course will entail mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.</p><p>No added costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note-taking or a digital equivalent.</p><p> </p><p>Your tutor will share their courses with you during your session,</p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritagevirtual556945HMI61NONEFri05/06/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetOlivia DurandBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-05T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparationsdecolonising-museums-the-challenges-of-reparations/hmi61-2526<p>Explore the challenges of decolonising museums, focusing on repatriation, reparations, and ethical dilemmas, with an interactive session inside the British Museum.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-05 00:00:00<p>This one-day course examines the challenges faced by museums in addressing their colonial legacies. It focuses on the debates surrounding the repatriation of artefacts, the concept of reparations, and the ethical implications of these practices.</p><p><br/>Through discussions and a visit to the British Museum, participants will critically explore how museums are responding to calls for decolonisation and what this means for cultural heritage in the 21st century.<br/> </p><p>Explore the challenges of decolonising museums, focusing on repatriation, reparations, and ethical dilemmas, with an interactive session inside the British Museum.</p><p>• The history and legacy of colonial collecting practices<br/>• On-site case studies of repatriation efforts and their outcomes<br/>• The ethics of reparations and museum practices<br/>• Decolonisation initiatives in museums worldwide<br/>• An interactive exploration of relevant collections at the British Museum<br/> </p><ul><li>Understand the historical context of colonial collecting and its lasting impact on museums</li><li>Critically assess the debates surrounding repatriation and reparations</li><li>Identify key ethical challenges facing museums in decolonising their collections</li><li>Engage with case studies and collections to explore the complexities of these issues</li></ul><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>This course will entail mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.</p><p>No added costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note-taking or a digital equivalent.</p><p> </p><p>Your tutor will share their courses with you during your session,</p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritageconfigurable
19071178Histories, memories & heritagehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies1/2/285/1177/1178/19071/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage
