Foluke Adebisi: ‘Decolonisation is of fundamental importance’

Foluke Adebisi is a Professor of Law at the University of Bristol’s Law School.

Her scholarship focuses on the relationship between law, theories of decolonisation, and the changing history of what it means to be human in the world.

Professor Foluke tells Bristol24/7 what decolonising the countryside means, how academics can play a part in inspiring change, and where she finds solace in the natural world.

What’s the topic of your talk at this year’s Blue Earth Summit and what do you hope the audience will take away from it?

I’m moderating a panel discussion on the topic of decolonising the outdoors; looking at firstly the impact of a colonial project on the outdoors as we experience it and, secondly, how the harmful effects of that can be reversed, and what we can individually and collectively do.

What I want the audience to take away is an understanding that decolonisation is of fundamental importance, and so everyone should educate themselves about what it is and what they can do within it.

Which speaker are you most looking forward to hearing from and why?

I’m most looking forward to hearing from Professor David Olusoga, who is giving a lecture on how understanding our history can shape the future of the outdoors, which is very closely aligned with the subject of my panel discussion.

Foluke Adebisi chairing the panel discussion on decolonising the outdoors at the Blue Earth Summit in Bristol – photo: Ursula Billington

What’s the single most important thing businesses can do to step up on sustainability?

The single most important thing that businesses can do is to urgently reduce their own carbon emissions.

They can also use their own platforms to inspire change. Here at the University of Bristol, we’re embedding sustainability within our teaching, with the aim of inspiring our students.

How important are events like Blue Earth Summit in driving forward positive action on nature and climate?

On the one hand, there’s always the danger that we meet together, increase our carbon footprint in the process, and do nothing as a result.

But one hopes that we take the opportunity to have conversations that lead to positive change and action.

I also think it’s helpful to have academics in conversation with practitioners and business people, which is something that doesn’t happen very often.

Tell us about one of your favourite outdoor spaces and how it inspires you.  

One of my favourite places in the world is the River Niger, especially looking at in Lokoja in Nigeria. I’m inspired by its history and contemplating what the river has seen over the centuries.

In Bristol, I enjoy visiting the Clifton Suspension Bridge and looking out over the city from that vantage point. It’s very calming to go there at the weekend and take a moment with my thoughts

Main photo: Helen Bell, Greenhouse Communications

The Blue Earth Summit 2023 takes place from 11-13 October at The Propyard and The Wave.

Inspired by the great outdoors, the three-day event plays host to industry pioneers, provocative thought-leaders, sustainability trailblazers, insightful solutionists and boundary-pushing start-ups. It‘s the place to explore, collaborate and take action. To find out more and book tickets, visit blueearthsummit.com.

Read next:

• Natalie Fee: ‘The world needs positive stories’
• Bevis Watts: ‘We have to be able to call out greenwash’
• Blue Earth Summit: ‘A platform for the future where no one gets left behind’

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