Justin Wiggins talked to Christine in June 2025.
After graduating in Chemistry from the University of Warwick, I spent a year doing VSO in Kathmandu, Nepal. After that ‘Information Science’ seemed an interesting career move and I did an MSc in Information Science at City University. After that I worked in a wide variety of organisations, including industrial consultancy, the electricity industry, and a pharmaceutical company. I then combined child care with a variety of part-time work. After running a College of Nursing library for a couple of years, I took the chance of a research post working for, but not at, Aberystwyth. I started lecturing at Aberystwyth in 1995, and became a Senior Lecturer in 2000. Since early 2009 I have focused on research work.
I enjoy the challenge of growing unusual plants.
When did you first become interested in decolonisation?
I have been aware of decolonisation activities since childhood, although most of the descriptions of the UK withdrawing from former colonies were somewhat theoretical until I went to Nepal to work as a teacher and visited India when a voluntary service overseas (VSO after University). I read up the history of partition, and the life and work of Gandhi. I will never forget seeing the rehearsal for the “last post” part of Independence Day celebrations in Delhi – with the military band playing “Abide with Me” (Gandhi’s favourite hymn) with the setting sun behind the Red Fort. Decolonisation isn’t and can’t ever be a crisp and clean detachment – there is meaning for both sides on shared objects, events and activities. Later on, I worked in Dublin for two years and learnt more about Irish history (had done a fair amount of 19th century European history at school) and had the experience of driving through Belfast during the Troubles (to catch the Larne -Stranraer ferry). I continue to read a lot of history.
In your vocational work, would you say that steps toward decolonisation have made good progress in society outside of academia?
I worry that much of the UK population seem quite ignorant about their history, and the problems of Empire.
What are some good resources for helping people understand the importance of decolonisation?
TV programmes, and books by David Olusoga help to bring flesh to the rather stereotypical profiles of the “colonized people”. I like the Empire podcast series (William Dalrymple and Anita Anand). Local museums can help people understand the viewpoint of those who interacted with their ancestors – for good outcomes and bad outcomes. It’s easy to understand why so many “conquistadors” came from a very poor region of Spain – getting wealthy only from the resources in Extremadura would be very difficult, and there was every incentive to plunder when abroad. Many people’s family trees in the UK include ancestors who went abroad – perhaps migrated, or served in the armed forces, or did some work overseas and then returned. Understanding the past from immediate family and going backwards in time allows a better understanding of different perspectives on the same situation.
What are some challenges with decolonisation in the 21st century?
Challenges include the problems of transferring and conserving artefacts if they are “rehomed” – but the problem may be deciding which was the original home (e.g. the chequered history of the Koh-i-noor diamond). There may be too much emphasis on the trophy items in the discussions – the aim should be the potential for useful learning and appreciation for different groups of people rather than rights and wrongs of “possession”. During colonization, workers were transplanted to different settings (indentured labourers) – and the history of their background isn’t simple, just as those who were traded as slaves have a complex history (but not a lot may be known). And, basically, who pays or should pay for decolonisation activities? That’s difficult when finding money for any museum/gallery activities can be challenging. Attitudes and customs were different in times past, and it was perfectly possible to hold two conflicting opinions quite happily then – and perhaps we need to remember that people will judge us as holding similar conflicting views in the future. Unconscious bias is very difficult to challenge when people don’t think they are biased.
Who are some poets, musicians, artists, philosophers, thinkers, or mentors that have inspired you on your journey in advocating for decolonisation?
Well, there’s the wonderful example of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet (a man’s a man for a’ that) but who also accepted the job of a West Indian slave plantation manager (although he never actually went). On human rights – the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has an interesting perspective on some cultural shibboleths, as well as nurturing old skills, and old artefacts.
What is the role of the arts and academia in helping people understand different narratives, worldview perspectives, and decolonisation?
Always question the assumptions – that is what the arts and academia should do.
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