Kent Law School Senior Lecturer Dr Suhraiya Jivraj has won the Social Sciences Faculty Teaching Award 2019 for her leadership of the Decolonising the Curriculum Project (DtCP).
The accolade, awarded annually by the University, is an indication of esteem and is made in recognition of excellent teaching practice. Dr Jivraj was recognised for her work in leading the project which aims to support BAME students in becoming change actors and co-producers of knowledge. It was presented to her by University Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Cox at a gala dinner last week.
The award follows hot on the heels of a 2019 Kent Student Award presented to DtCP student leaders for making an ‘Outstanding contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.’
Earlier this year, DtCP students launched their Manifesto to an audience of Kent academics, staff and senior leaders. Feedback from the launch event helped inform a strategy document prepared for the University’s Executive Group, outlining how key points from the Manifesto could be implemented at Kent. The Project has subsequently inspired a chain reaction of events across the University, including the establishment of a new Kaleidoscope Network at Kent for staff and students who support the principles of race equality. Working together with Dave Thomas, Student Success Project Manager from the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Sheree Palmer, Student Success Project Officer from the Law School, Dr Jivraj is planning a conference for Spring 2020 at Kent, that will focus on whiteness and empowering colleagues to promote BAME inclusion.
Dr Jivraj has undergraduate teaching responsibilities which span across Public Law and Race, Religion and Law. She supervises postgraduate students working in the areas of critical race/religion studies; intersectional, feminist/queer post/de-colonial approaches to of race/religion, gender and sexuality including on (Muslim) family law. She particularly welcomes (queer) students of colour wanting to draw on epistemologies/perspectives from the global south.
Previous winners of the Faculty Teaching Prize, from Kent Law School, include Professor Amanda Perry-Kessaris in 2018, Janie Clement-Walker in 2013, Dr Helen Carr in 2012, Per Laleng in 2011, Professor John Fitzpatrick in 2004 and Alan Story in 2003.
