Discussing Decolonisation: ‘Decolonizing Literature, Theory and Practice’ – A guest lecture by Dr Anna Bernard

This is the third event of our six-part mini-series, ‘Discussing Decolonisation’, taking place in person and online across the academic year 2023-24. Find out more and book your place at the other events in the series here.

Decolonizing Literature: Theory and Practice

This talk reflects on my experience of writing the undergraduate textbook Decolonizing Literature (2023) and participating in collective work on decolonizing the curriculum at my institution. I was thrilled to have the chance to write such a book, but also very, very daunted. What did I mean by decolonization, and who was I to try to define it? I discuss my decision to focus on the literature and theory of anticolonial worldmaking, which challenges its readers to put the political work of literature front and centre. I also share some of the book’s suggestions for approaching such texts in the classroom. I conclude by discussing how students and staff at KCL have sought to work together to decolonize our curriculum across departments and faculties.  

Speaker bio: 

Anna Bernard is Reader in Comparative Literature and English at King’s College London. She is the author of Decolonizing Literature (2023) and Rhetorics of Belonging: Nation, Narration, and Israel/Palestine (2013), and co-editor of What Postcolonial Theory Doesn’t Say (2015) and Debating Orientalism (2013). She is currently working on a book called International Solidarity and Culture: Nicaragua, South Africa, Palestine, 1975-1990. 

Booking information:

Booking for this event is via Eventbrite. 

Please note this talk will be followed by a drinks reception in the Creative Centre Atrium, from 5.30-6.30pm.

If you have any questions ahead of the event, please email co-organisers Lucy Potter (l.potter@yorksj.ac.uk) and/or Laura Key (l.key@yorksj.ac.uk).