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The University of Edinburgh has published a comprehensive review into its historic links to slavery and colonialism, issuing a formal apology following four years of extensive research. The institution has pledged to "learn and move forward" from the findings, which reveal deep connections between the university's past and systems of racial oppression.
Principal and vice chancellor Professor Sir Peter Mathieson issued the formal statement following the Race Review, which was commissioned in 2021. The work was overseen by Scotland's first black professor, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, who contributed to feedback on the draft before his death in June.
Historic wealth traced to slavery
The report, titled "Decolonised Transformations: Confronting the University of Edinburgh's History and Legacies of Enslavement and Colonialism", examines how wealth from slavery and colonialism in the 17th and 18th centuries can be traced to contemporary endowments. Archival research revealed that leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, who were prominent at the university in the 18th century, promoted theories of racial inferiority and white supremacism used to justify colonialism.
Last year, the university funded additional research into its historical links with Arthur Balfour, who played a key role in the creation of Israel. Balfour served as a former chancellor of the university as well as Prime Minister and Conservative politician.
Commitment to racial equality
Sir Peter emphasised the importance of confronting the institution's complete history. "Only by fully engaging with and understanding the entirety of our institutional past can we truly learn and move forward," he said. "We are unwavering in our commitment to a future where racism, racial discrimination, and racialised inequalities have no place in higher education or society."
He added: "We cannot have a selective memory about our past, focusing only on the historical achievements which make us feel proud." Sir Peter paid tribute to Sir Geoff Palmer, stating the work would "honour his memory through our ongoing commitment to advancing race equality within our institution and in society more broadly".
Reparative justice measures
The review highlighted data showing under-representation of racially and ethnically minoritised staff and students, alongside disparities in degree awarding and challenges in seeking support for racism. The report made nearly 50 recommendations, including the creation of a Naming Approval Committee to manage requests for naming or renaming university buildings.
A response group identified actions as part of "reparative justice", including continued research into racial injustice and strengthening connections with minoritised communities. The measures also include boosting scholarships and reinforcing anti-racist educational programmes. The university pledged to achieve "meaningful change" and transparency, and to "learn from and repair its past".
Academic transformation
Professor Tommy Curry, co-chairman of the Race Review's research and engagement working group, praised the institution's courage in undertaking such self-reflection. "This review demonstrates a level of self-reflection that very few institutions have had the courage to embark on," he said.
"We have fundamentally changed what we understood as the Scottish Enlightenment," Curry continued. "We have shown that the study of racial difference had a major home here, and that there are legacies of discrimination that we still have to correct today."
Future aspirations
Dr Nicola Frith, co-chairwoman of the working group, emphasised the effort to connect past and present impacts on minoritised communities. "Now it can be in the business of producing decolonised and reparatory forms of knowledge that genuinely embrace and include those communities it has harmed," she said.
Fiona McClement, co-leader of the Race Review response group, outlined the university's commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation. "We want to ensure that we are a welcoming and nurturing environment in which all members of our community feel a sense of belonging," she said.
Chris Cox, vice principal of philanthropy and advancement, emphasised that universities should facilitate difficult conversations. "Our response isn't based on closing down these discussions, but on beginning new and important ones," he said, adding that addressing the legacy provides an opportunity to plan for a better future.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
