The WWAIWG, or Water-WISER Action Inequalities Working Group, is a collective of dedicated students enrolled in the Water-WISER CDT across three UK universities. This group provides a safe space for meaningful discussions and reciprocal learning. Our scope extends beyond the realms of water and sanitation, delving into the decolonisation of broader development approaches, understanding positionality, and addressing global inequalities prevalent within both water and sanitation, as well as the wider development sector and research practice.
We firmly believe that without openly discussing, challenging, and ultimately eradicating these fundamental issues, no amount of aid, infrastructure investment, or other initiatives can truly foster the sustainable, enduring change necessary for creating and nurturing a more just world.
Introducing the WWAIWG Podcast
What are the Big Decolonisation Discussions?
In late 2023, the WWAIWG embarked on creating the Big Decolonisation Discussion podcast, a thought-provoking venture set to explore pivotal subjects, including the decolonisation of international aid, research, environmentalism, global health, and climate change. Our podcast endeavours to untangle the complex threads of colonial influence within these realms, spotlighting systemic inequalities, biases, and enduring historical legacies that persist in shaping present-day narratives. We invite you to join us in these illuminating conversations, where we confront challenges, challenge existing paradigms, and collectively strive to foster a future marked by equity and inclusivity.
Meet the Podcast Team
Watch the Podcast Trailor Video
For more information on who we are and what the podcast is about, check out Episode 1
Episode 1 – Introduction
In this episode, the hosts of The Big Decolonisation Dialogue discuss their personal experiences and reflections on decolonisation. They share their first encounters with the concept of decolonisation and how it has shaped their research and personal lives. The hosts also explore the importance of challenging assumptions, stereotypes, and biases, both within themselves and in academic research. They highlight the need for inclusive collaborations and the recognition of regional inequalities. The episode concludes with a call to “decolonise our minds” and engage in conversations that address historical and current injustices.
Episode 2 – Special Conversation with Dr Ljeoma
Welcome to this special episode with Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim Opara MD, FAAP, FAIM. As a distinguished physician, educator, and advocate, Dr. Opara brings her profound expertise and passion to the forefront against anti-blackness and colonisation. In this episode, she explores the deep-rooted systemic injustices faced by the global majority and the transformative power of decolonizing our minds, institutions, and societies.
Join us as we envision a future grounded in equity and justice. ‘None of us are free unless and until all of us are free. So collective liberation is the key, right there’.
We are really privileged to have benefitted from Dr. Opara’s time and insights, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
For more on her work, read her piece It’s Time to Decolonize the Decolonization movement – https://speakingofmedicine.plos.org/2021/07/29/its-time-to-decolonize-the-decolonization-movement/
Episode 3 – Global Health
In this episode we hear from practitioners and academics about their views on decolonising global health; what does decolonisation mean for them? What progress has been made? What would decolonised global health look like? Would it still exist? And most importantly, what can we all do next? Our distinguished panel features Yadurshini Raveendran, David McCoy, Viviana Olivetto, Sarah Brittingham, Doreen Tuhebwe and Michelle Amri, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to this critical discourse. We also have water governance expert Euphresia Luseka to open and close the episode. Tune in as we envision a decolonised future for global health.
Episode 4 – Research
In this episode, we discuss the process of decolonising academic research and understanding the ways inequity manifests between researchers. We have
- J’Anna-Mare Lue, lead author of the paper “Principles for increasing equity in WASH research: understanding barriers faced by LMIC WASH researchers” (https://gh.bmj.com/content/8/4/e010990),
- Tamara Megaw, co-author of the Report “Authorship and recognition in knowledge production in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): A guidance note” (https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/UTS-ISF%20%282022%29%20Guidance%20Note%20on%20authorship%20and%20recognition%20in%20WASH_0.pdf), and
- Linda Ndiweni, a water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) researcher and lecturer from the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe.
Lais and the guests have a very honest conversation about what it entails to perform decolonial research within persisting colonial academic structures.
Coming soon:
- Episode 5 – International Aid – Part 1
- Episode 6 – International Aid – Part 2
- Episode 7 – Climate
- Episode 8 – Outro
- Events