Bristol’s first professor of the history of slavery has started her role at the University of Bristol.
Olivette Otele, who has joined the department of History and Centre for Black Humanities, is aiming to help the university better understand its past and “use that knowledge to shape its future”.
She is also planning to engage with the city as a whole and is carrying out research into the Bristol’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
Bristol Live first covered the news of Olivette’s appointment in October 2019 and we are republishing her story today (Sunday, March 8) to mark International Women’s Day.
The reason Olivette’s story is being republished on Bristol Live is because she is one of thousands of women in Bristol who have inspired others through their hard work, bravery, strength of character, leadership and determination.
Olivette’s appointment comes as many universities with long histories examine their own foundations and links to the fortunes made in Britain by the slave trade and slavery in North America.
Prof Otele is of Cameroonian heritage and grew up in France. She is one of the world’s leading experts on the history of the transatlantic slave trade, and last year at the age of 48 became the first black woman to be made Professor of History in the UK, when she was appointed to the role at Bath Spa University.
“I hope to bring together Bristolians from all communities, and scholars, artists and educators who are willing to contribute to a stronger and fairer society,” she said.
“I want students to see me as a facilitator of a dialogue that needs to take place and that is about the role of the University of Bristol in the transatlantic slave trade.
“I want to produce a rigorous and an extensive piece of research that will be relevant to the University, to the city and that will be a landmark in the way Britain examines, acknowledges and teaches the history of enslavement,” she added.
The university says Olivette's role complements its ongoing work to engage with black and minority ethnic (BME) communities across the city to strengthen relationships and develop new partnerships to ensure that communities and community organisations are well informed of the various opportunities the university offers.
