Transforming the curriculum: indigenisation of criminology

The purpose of transforming the curriculum is to make it more inclusive and responsive to the needs of students and society. While various approaches to curricular transformation exist, the Indigenisation of the curriculum - ensuring that it includes and values Indigenous peoples and knowledges - should be prioritised. For criminology, Indigenisation is particularly important as part of efforts to prevent the harms that it and criminal justice policy and practice continue to cause Indigenous peoples. The inclusion and foregrounding of Indigenous knowledges and voices promotes cognitive and social justice - it should contribute to a better and fairer society for all. Implementing this curricular change with appropriate depth and nuance necessitates new learning and professional development. It requires that criminologists critically engage with Indigenous scholarship and rethink the criminological field and associated curriculum. Consequently, implementation is an iterative process requiring long-term commitment. Ideally it is undertaken in partnership with Indigenous curriculum advisors and supported by communities of practice. In this presentation, I present a brief overview of the rationale for Indigenising the criminology curriculum and provide some practical examples from a criminology theory unit. The presentation offers a stimulus for discussion of experiences, challenges and questions arising from our collective journey.