decolonise
dee-KOL-uh-nyze
Definition
To dismantle or actively challenge the long-standing influence of colonial power structures, practices, and ideologies within research, academic institutions, and global health systems.
Etymology
The word is formed by the prefix 'de-' (meaning to remove or reverse) added to 'colonize', which stems from the Latin 'colonia' meaning a settlement or farm. It emerged in the 20th century to describe the process of reversing colonial rule and its lingering systemic effects.
In the news
The article uses the term in the context of reforming global health research to shift leadership and influence from high-income countries toward Global South researchers and local communities. It emphasizes decolonisation as a necessary process to ensure research is truly equitable and locally owned.
University hosts fourth annual Global Consortium for Public Health Research Conference
Read the full article ↗University of Huddersfield