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 Mar 2026

Researching legacies of enslavement in a post‑abolition women’s college

Sepia photograph of Newnham College

26 Mar 2026

Pepys, slavery and censorship

A painted portrait of Samuel Pepys with long, wavy hair wearing a brown robe and a white neck cloth. The person is shown from the waist up, standing against a dark background, holding a small sheet of paper in one hand. The brushwork highlights the folds of the clothing and the texture of the hair.

24 Mar 2026

Magdalene Legacies of Enslavement research

Detailed black-and-white 1690 engraving of Magdalene College in Cambridge, showing the college buildings arranged around courtyards beside the River Cam, with small boats on the water and trees lining the riverbank.

23 Mar 2026

George Bridgetower Essay Competition

A framed pencil drawing hangs on a wooden-paneled wall. The sketch shows an adolescent figure in period clothing, with softly rendered shading and a loosely sketched jacket. The artwork is mounted within a wide mat and a simple wooden frame.

19 Mar 2026

Black Town & Gown: The historical legacy of Black presence in the City of Cambridge

Large white text reading “BLACK TOWN BLACK GOWN” over a street scene in Cambridge, with historic buildings and railings visible in the background.

17 Mar 2026

‘Sensitive’ legacies of old universities – a knowledge exchange workshop

A large wall mural depicting many historical scenes and figures arranged in tiers, including people holding books, maps and objects, with architectural elements and symbolic imagery throughout. A radiator sits below the mural.