Universities 6: COMMUNICATION AND OPENNESS A critical challenge for universities in building productive fair and mutual research partnerships is clear and open communication about their expertise, about their role in the community and, in some cases, about their role in past and present injustices in relation to race. To address these a number of practical steps at different scales, from personal to institutional, are required: 1
Institutionally, universities need to have clear points of contact for organisations and groups wishing to explore the potential of building partnerships in and with the institution. Online, this might take the form of a contact form or even a live chat. Face to face, this might take the form of open days and workshops for potential partners.
2
The Science Shop model, in which individuals and groups from outside the university can pose questions or challenges that require addressing, is one that could be explored much more by the UK higher education sector, alongside small-scale funding to facilitate exploration of generative questions, possibly at local Citizen UK gatherings.
3
Universities with historic links to slavery and the proceeds of slavery need to acknowledge this fact publicly and develop new investments with relevant communities as racialised inequality is underpinned by the justifications of slavery and colonialism.
4
Institutions must begin to link up with civil society, arts and other community partners already engaged in work around themes of inclusion, equity, diversity and equality.
Universities 7: ETHICAL PROCEDURES Finally, it is essential that university research ethics committees: 1
Develop and encourage the creation of new forms of ethical procedure that are appropriate to collaborative qualitative research practices. In particular, such procedures need to: engage with and respond to situations in which communities may not be used to or comfortable with signing ethics forms; encourage the development of ongoing and mutual reflection on the ethical challenges being raised; and recognise the different cultural traditions and/or the different histories of exploitation and risk that different minority groups may have experienced in relation to previous legalistic/ethical procedures.
B. Guidance for Academics
R
ecommendations for academics focus on five key areas:
1
The use of space and time.
2
Knowledge and expertise.
3
Communication.
4
Funding processes.
5
Legacy and sustainability.
110 Recommendations