Legacies of Enslavement

A collaborative community exploring the University’s historical links to slavery, supporting and promoting research into histories of enslavement, colonialism and its afterlives, and bringing together researchers, students, and practitioners to share knowledge, foster dialogue and inspire action.

Thomas Malton the Younger, 1748–1804, King's Parade, Cambridge, between 1798 and 1799, Oil on canvas painting
Understanding our past

Find out more about the creation of this initiative and our research-led report into the University's links to the history of enslavement

 Students looking at whiteboard with handwritten notes and ideas
Research projects and activities

Discover the initiatives across our community delivering research, teaching, and public programmes on the legacies of enslavement

 Two University staff members shaking hands
Join the network

Find out how you can get involved in our activities and join our mailing list to keep up to date

News

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30 Apr 2026

Antislavery and the country house

A wide view of a peach‑coloured historic building with arched windows and ivy‑covered walls, set behind a green lawn and low stone wall, with trees and a blue, partly cloudy sky in the background.

27 Apr 2026

New blogs from the MAA Digital Lab on collections and colonial histories

Interior view of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge, with display cases and artefacts arranged in a gallery space.

20 Apr 2026

Mind the gap: belonging, artists, art collections and museum practices

A house in Trinidad and Tobago with a “Mind the Gap” sign on its fence, photographed in a residential street

16 Apr 2026

In the time of shells

illustration of a conch shell

31 Mar 2026

In conversation | "That's history. That's truth": enslavement of California Native Americans

Photo of Jean Pfaelzer standing next to a brick wall

31 Mar 2026

In conversation | Legacies of Enslavement & contemporary violence in Liberia & Haiti

Photograph of event speakers