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In November 2020 The University of Glasgow was delighted to be named as the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year.

Our Team UofG community was awarded this prestigious title for a reason that we are particularly proud of; our programme of reparative justice to help atone for our historic links to the transatlantic slave trade.

In September 2018, in a UK first, the University of Glasgow published a report based on comprehensive research conducted by historians Professor Simon Newman and Dr Stephen Mullen in our College of Arts which also set out a proactive programme of reparative justice recommendations.

We discovered that we had benefitted financially from Scottish slave traders in the 18th and 19th centuries by between £16.7m and £198m in current terms. As part of our programme of restorative justice, we have pledged to raise £20 million to fund a joint centre for development research with the University of the West Indies. Our Reparative Justice programme is the first of its kind in the UK.

As well as the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research, we are offering James McCune Smith scholarships for UK ethnic minority students, and undertaking a far-reaching programme of research collaboration focused on the Global South. We are also looking at de-colonising the curriculum as part of our strategic plans.

Born into slavery in 1819, James McCune Smith graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1837 and became the first African American to receive a medical degree. Despite his obvious intellectual talent, he was refused admission to American universities on account of his race. Alongside his success as a physician, he was a brilliant abolitionist, scholar, writer and educator, who is one of the foremost intellectuals in the 19th century.

PhD student Kristyn Carter explains that ‘hearing Dr McCune Smith’s story of being born into slavery, then travelling to the University of Glasgow to pursue education, made me think if he can do that I can do anything’.

We are now advising other UK universities on reparative justice programmes.

“Of course, it has been difficult to open up our archives and find out the truth of our history, but it has had an immense impact on our institution. It’s had an impact on the way we teach, it’s had an impact on the way we think of ourselves and how we think of our history” said Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of Glasgow.

“Issues of race and racial justice are now coming into the fore in our society. For me, this is also a platform for how we achieve racial justice. Not just our links around slavery, but what it means today for a university that is modern and wants to move forward”.

The THE praised us for being “a shining example of what a university should be: institutions of courage and action, uniquely placed to tackle the biggest issues facing the world”.

This really stood out for us, as being a modern, inclusive and truly global institution is central to our ethos at the University of Glasgow.

This award gives widespread recognition for our commitment to being a world-changing centre for education and research.

We operate on a global scale – 81% of our research is judged to be internationally excellent (REF 2014) - and international collaborative working is how we ensure we are always at the forefront of innovation.

We are part of Universitas 21 (U21), a collaboration of students and staff from 27 world-class universities who share excellence, collaborate across borders and nurture international knowledge exchange. We are also a founding member of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, which works closely with the European Commission and other governing bodies to secure outstanding strategic and practical outcomes that will benefit the myriad of communities in Europe.

Having an international reach enriches the student experience and prepares our alumni to be global citizens, with a multitude of perspectives that they can apply to their chosen careers.

For many years we welcomed students from all over the world, both to our on-campus courses and now, with the rapid growth of online learning, we are able to welcome cohorts of international students to our virtual classrooms.

Our diverse community attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries. We also have numerous transnational educational partners - who give students the opportunity to study in their own country for a University of Glasgow degree - and strategic alliances and partnerships across the globe.

In our acceptance speech for the THE award, we described the reparative justice initiative as ‘a start, but not an end point’ and this is certainly the case. As a university, we are committed to pushing ourselves forward in all areas, from justice and equality to international research and, of course, continuing to welcome new students and tutors from all over the world.

If you are looking to become part of a university which has a positive impact on a global scale, choosing to study at the University of Glasgow can help you achieve your professional and personal goals at an institution you can be proud of.

We welcome world changers regardless of their background or circumstance and if you are passionate about affecting change then our Future World Changers Programme which can be undertaken throughout your studies might be for you!

Future World Changers

 

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First published: 14 April 2021