Research Project: Colonialism and its Legacies at Christ Church

First established as Cardinal College in 1525, Christ Church was re-founded by Henry VIII in 1546, as both a college and the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford. Its five-hundred-year history spans the beginnings of English colonialism in the Americas in the early 1600s through to decolonisation in the British Empire in the second half of the twentieth century. During many of these centuries, Christ Church was an institution at the very centre of British national and therefore imperial life. 

Today, Christ Church is a community dedicated to research, teaching, and critical thinking about the world around us. As such, it is committed to rigorous inquiry, informed discussion, and open communication about its own long and complex history. This project stands alongside parallel initiatives at colleges and museums within the University of Oxford as well as universities and institutions across Britain and beyond, including the National Trust, the Church of England, and the Bank of England.

The Legacies of Colonialism project at Christ Church is guided by three overarching principles: a rigorous grounding in evidence-based research; a commitment to research ethics and integrity; and a focus on the public dissemination of knowledge. The project aims to expand historical knowledge about the variety of ways in which British institutions were linked to colonialism and slavery in the past. This is an aspect of the history of Christ Church that has not yet been explored. In excavating, understanding, contextualising and recognising this history, this research project will provide an evidence-based foundation for Christ Church as a community to reflect on its institutional legacies and work towards a more equitable future.

Governing Body has established a working group to guide the Legacies of Colonialism project at Christ Church, chaired by Professor Jennifer Yee and comprising senior academics within the foundation. Scrutiny and support for the research project is further provided by an external advisory group of experts in the history of colonialism. The final report will be double-blind peer reviewed, a gold standard for the publication of academic research. 

In October 2024, Dr Elly Dezateux was appointed to lead this four-year research project as the Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Legacies of Colonialism. Dr Dezateux will conduct archival research in the historical collections of the college and cathedral, as well as other relevant repositories. She will engage members of the Christ Church community and the wider public in discussions about colonial histories and their legacies, while building academic networks to develop methodologies and share research findings.