Colonial Rhizomes: Knowledge production in museums through display, labelling and atmosphere

This research project aims to unpack the inherent legacies of colonial knowledge production still prevalent in
museums today. The specific focus of the project will be on the impact of colonial legacies on African material
culture displayed in western and southern African museum spaces. This project comes at a time of increasing
interest in decolonising museums and will add to this growing body literature by interrogating how colonial
legacies are active in museums in a practical way. Where this project differs from current approaches is its
focus on the museums displays themselves as well as the comparisons between museums in the post-colony
and ex-colonial powers. The project will draw from a wide range of material, both theoretical and fieldwork in
museum spaces. There will be a focus on visitor experiences within museum spaces and an emphasis on
marginalised communities. The outcome of this project is to outline practical methodologies to assist in
decolonising museum practise and spaces in a collaborative and inclusive manner