HealthSeptember 4, 2026

decolonising

dee-KAH-luh-ny-zing

Definition

The process of identifying and dismantling colonial-era power imbalances, biases, and structural hierarchies within academic and research institutions.

Etymology

The term derives from 'de-' meaning off or down, combined with 'colony' from the Latin 'colonia' (a settlement or farm), representing the undoing of colonial influence or systems.

In the news

The article discusses decolonising global health research as a means to shift power toward Global South institutions and ensure local leadership in research agendas.

University hosts fourth annual Global Consortium for Public Health Research Conference

Read the full article ↗

University of Huddersfield

Related words

autoclave

A strong, pressurized container used for industrial or medical processes like…

Health

decolonise

To dismantle or actively challenge the long-standing influence of colonial power…

Health

destigmatisation

The process of removing or reducing negative social attitudes, shame, or embarrassment…

Health

destigmatised

To remove the social shame or negative associations previously attached to a specific…

Health

destigmatising

The act of removing or reducing the feelings of shame or social disapproval traditionally…

Health

neuroregeneration

The natural process by which new neurons are generated or damaged nerve cells are…

Health

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.