Legacies of Enslavement special initiative

In 2019, the University of Cambridge began an investigation into its links to the history of enslavement. The 2022 report of that investigation marked the beginning of a new phase of engagement with these legacies, accompanied by a series of initiatives aimed at recognising past and addressing present injustices.

Our School is home to the Legacies of Enslavement special initiative to take forward the recommendations of the 2022 report and its spirit of reflection and engagement.   

Objectives

The Special Initiative began its work in the spring of 2025 and will connect and support projects, events and actions related to Legacies of Enslavement work with the following areas of focus:

i) Research and institution building: facilitating and promoting research into Cambridge's legacies of enslavement, both by University members and international colleagues and partners, with a particular focus on those from the African diaspora;  

ii) engaging with Black British communities and those from the wider African diaspora and supporting their participation in all aspects of the University's mission and;  

iii) fostering equitable, collaborative and sustained partnerships with institutions and students from those countries most affected by the institution of slavery and which continue to bear its legacies.

Leadership

The Special Initiative is being hosted by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, but will work across the University. The convenor is supported by a co-ordinator and the wider School team, with direction from an Advisory Group.

Convenor:  Pedro Ramos Pinto, Professor of Contemporary History at the Faculty of History

Pedro Ramos Pinto's work explores the making and unmaking of inequalities in historical perspective, building on earlier research on histories of welfare and citizenship in Southern Europe. Pedro also has a long-standing interest on the role of the past in contemporary debates, and on how to foster public engagement with history as a form of repair. 

Get involved

All those interested in or wishing to contribute to this topic are invited to join the Legacies of Enslavement Special Initiative Network, which will share information on events and initiatives and facilitate contributions from its members.

The Network is open to students, staff, and academics – please sign up. 

Alumni and anyone from outside the university who wishes to join should contact the co-ordinator for more information: legaciesnetwork@admin.cam.ac.uk