Abstract

‘Conversations About Race’, is a workshop developed to enable race-based conversations using Citizens UK community organising techniques. During the workshop, we will share the findings from previous sessions, introduce Citizens UK philosophy and methodology, and ask attendees to participate in a relational 121, coined as the most radical organising tool.

Session and activities

In 2021, UAL published its Anti-Racism Action Plan. The plan includes ten objectives, including a commitment to anti-racism education across the University, decolonising the curriculum and eliminating the continuation and degree awarding gap. To address these commitments, we pilot ‘Conversations About Race’, a workshop first developed at Kings College London to enable race-based conversations using Citizens UK community organising techniques. To date, we have held two workshops, one with academic staff and one with students. During this workshop, we will share the findings from previous sessions, introduce Citizens UK philosophy and methodology, and ask participants to take part in a short one-to-one relational exercise. The relational meeting intends to connect meaningfully with another person, understand their self-interest and what action they are willing to take. At the end of the workshop, true to Citizens UK’s five-step organising methodology, we will agree on a clear action plan with attendees. We will also ask for feedback and ideas to help develop the workshop into a methodology delivered with students as partners and rolled out across UAL and beyond.