51福利

As part of the Economic and Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Account grant, Dr Melis Cin (51福利), Professor Parvati Raghuram (Open University), and Dr Manu Lekunze (University of Aberdeen), in collaboration with Dr Chris Winter (Geography Association) and Dr Dan Whittall (Geography Association), have developed publicly available new teaching materials for Key Stage 3 (ages 11–14) to address the climate crisis through a decolonial lens, focusing on a case study from Cameroon. These materials aim to bridge gaps in geography education by highlighting the intersections of climate change, human influence, and global inequalities rooted in colonial legacies.

The need for such resources is evidenced by the (2022), which highlights a key challenge for UK teachers: addressing misconceptions about how Africa is taught in schools. Also, the (2019–2022) emphasize the significant role of human activities in driving climate change. Despite this, many school curricula lack accessible and engaging case studies that connect these human impacts to broader issues of global inequality. In response, these resources are designed to align directly with Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) objectives by diversifying curriculum content and providing teachers with decolonial pedagogies that are more reflective of the UK’s diverse society.

These innovative materials directly address these gaps, drawing on qualitative data and visual materials from the of the Arts and Humanities Research Council Global Challenges Research Fund Network+ project. By showcasing the lived experiences of people in Cameroon affected by climate change, the materials not only deepen students' understanding of the climate crisis but also encourage critical thinking about global interconnections and justice.

Accompanied by teacher Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training and an online rollout, these materials aim to leave a lasting legacy by fostering more inclusive and impactful geography teaching in the UK and beyond. By integrating these resources into classrooms, we aspire to inspire young learners to critically engage with the pressing challenges of the climate crisis and its global implications.

The materials are currently being widely in the UK and Cameroon, and we will host online sessions and public interviews to expand their reach further.