Key details
Online
Re:Tension and the Aftermath Debate
Using film and debate to tackle racism in higher education. A toolkit and training session for universities.
Re:Tension is a short 20-minute film that follows Thapelo, a bright and capable university student, on a day where he is unwittingly forced to question the judgements of his tutors and peers, and delve deeper into his own actions, choices and beliefs.
Re:Tension addresses the topic of institutional racism and the gap in student retention amongst BAME (Black, Asian and Minority, Ethnic) students within British universities. The film was inspired by analysing statistical data that highlighted the unexplained dropout rate of BAME students.
The film attempts to provide a real insight into unconscious racial harassment within the higher education system and micro-aggressions that often go unnoticed.
The toolkit
The toolkit, developed by Associate Professors Syra Shakir and Ricardo Barker, uses Re:Tension and the aftermath debate to openly challenge racism and discrimination.
It encourages group discussion around accountability and responsibility, uses a theoretical model titled ‘The Forced Silence’ and Dr Sean Walton provides an exploration of Critical Race Theory in the fight against discrimination.
/filters:quality(80)/prod01/channel_2/media/site-assets/images/Re_Tension-Poster_03.jpg)
How is it delivered?
A half-day session delivered by Syra Shakir, Ricardo Barker and Sean Walton.
Following the screening of Re:Tension, Syra, Ricardo and Sean will begin the aftermath debate. The audience will be split into groups with opportunities to discuss the film, how it made them feel and feedback to the group. Attendees will be encouraged to share personal experiences and reflect on racial inequality in their institutions.
It is anticipated that the University will come away with actions that can be implemented.
How many people can attend?
There is no maximum number of attendees – the more people involved, the better.
Who should attend?
All staff members – lecturers, researchers, professional services, Leadership and Executive teams – we can offer separate sessions for different schools and departments if required.
All students, from any level and any subject background, including alumni.
How much does it cost?
Various packages are available, details upon request. Please contact us at [email protected]
Testimonials
The film and toolkit have taught me that as an institution we need to think about colour and race separately by looking at the individual and what they need. Labelling students and staff is contentious and discussing how it is a wider problem helps with breaking down these labels.
Member of university senior executive
I am writing to thank you again for sharing your incredible workshop, knowledge and passion with us. The event has received extremely positive feedback (including from our Vice Chancellor) with some staff suggesting that it will have profound impact on their practice going forward.
Head of an academic faculty
Please accept my sincerest and most heartfelt thanks for delivering this great, great session- meaningful, impactful and honest. The content was brilliant as I am sure you may have already captured through feedback, and the delivery so smooth and seamless. I had tears watching the film, but it is so resonating, what we hear daily from our members and I, as a PhD student finishing my thesis, has seen and sometimes lived through in my many years at my institution.”
Postgraduate student
BERA 2024
Meet your trainers
/filters:quality(80)/prod01/channel_2/media/site-assets/images/Re_Tension_Staff_Profile-Shot.jpg)
Ricardo Barker
Ricardo Barker is an Associate Professor at Leeds Trinity University. He is a multi-disciplinary filmmaker working in the fields of drama, documentary, and music. He has particular expertise in anti-racist pedagogy and his films encompass such topics as racial micro-aggressions, institutional racism, and the multiple ways racism manifest in society, and particularly in higher education.
Syra Shakir
Syra Shakir is an Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching at Leeds Trinity University. She works on embedding race equity in the curriculum, decolonisation, anti-racist pedagogy, and co-creation with students to build belonging. Her research interests are in the pedagogy of co-creation, critical race theory, and education for social justice.
Dr Sean Walton
Sean Walton is a Senior Lecturer in Academic Development at Leeds Trinity University. His research interests include: Critical pedagogy; critical theory; critical race theory in higher education; Marxism and education; and the philosophy of education.
Further reading
Shakir, S. (2025), "No end and no beginning; race equity in higher education", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 44 No. 1, pp. 9-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-05-2023-0171
Building an inclusive learning community to deliver a race equality curriculum
Ricardo Barker and Syra Shakir reflect on how to set up a curriculum that engages everybody in conversations about race equality.