Studying Slavery on Campus: Research, Reconciliation, and Public Engagement

Abstract

Since the early 2000s, an increasing number of colleges and universities have begun the difficult work of examining how their institutional histories are tied to the systems of slavery, the slave trade, settler colonialism, and segregation. As more schools continue to embark on the soul-searching process of researching the darker sides of their institutional pasts, this roundtable brings together eight scholars who have engaged in the hard work of research and reconciliation to discuss how they have approached the topic of slavery on campus. The discussion includes how to start a slavery on campus project, the challenges faced therewith, and strategies for publicizing the findings. Domby and Green hope the robust discussion will help other scholars begin similar projects around the country.