Ongoing attempts towards decolonising a British D.Clin.Psy. research space

Abstract

In this article, a summary is provided of certain actions towards decolonising the research space within a British D.Clin.Psy. programme, and some of the thinking that informed these actions. The importance of decolonisation in universities, and in clinical psychology – despite the ‘challenges’ that it seems to pose to some - is discussed. Genuine efforts towards decolonisation are rendered distinct from more general equality, diversity and inclusion activities - unlike ‘diversification’, decolonisation demands systemic changes in spaces, such that colonising / recolonising functions cease to operate. It is noted that some British D.Clin.Psy. programmes have made concrete steps towards decolonisation; and in complementing such initiatives, and also in drawing inspiration from experiences and perspectives from elsewhere in the world, some actions towards decolonisation in Plymouth University’s D.Clin. Psy. programme’s research space have been initiated. These have included recognising, challenging and providing alternatives to the Western and Eurocentric models that have dominated how we have traditionally thought and taught about, and conducted research in, clinical psychology; communicating the importance of recognising the adoption of the Western ‘scientific method’ as a deliberate epistemological and ontological choice; and, actively supporting the undertaking of social justice and community-orientated research by D.Clin.Psy. trainees. In the interests of collaboration and mutual support, a suggestion is made to establish a nationwide network devoted to the meaningful decolonisation of clinical psychology in the UK.