S#*T HAPPENS: A Decolonial Feminist Psychological Reflection on Institutional Racism in Higher Education

Inaugural lecture by Professor Shose Kessi

Professor Kessi will present her lecture, “S#*t happens: A Decolonial Feminist Psychological Reflection on Institutional Racism in Higher Education”, on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, at 18:30 SAST in the Neville Alexander Building, lower campus.

In this lecture, Professor Kessi will share insights from a photovoice project with black students at UCT, initiated on the eve of the #RhodesMustFall movement, as an example of decolonial feminist activism against institutional racism. She will also engage in dialogue with black womxn scholars to reflect on the role of the UCT Black Academic Caucus (BAC). The lecture will explore the nuanced ways identities are negotiated within oppressive structures and expose the often-invisible institutional practices that reinforce the status quo.

This pioneering scholar is the dean of the Faculty of Humanities at UCT and is a professor in the Department of Psychology. Her research explores social and political psychology, decoloniality and community-based empowerment, strongly focusing on identity, transformation and social change.

This lecture is part of the UCT Inaugural Lecture Series – for more details click here – UCT Lecture Series