Professor Sir Geoff Palmer - Addressing Scotland’s links to slavery and the legacy of empire

In October 2022, the University of Dundee hosted Prof Sir Geoff Palmer, who became the first black professor in Scotland in 1989. Sir Geoff was knighted in the 2014 New Year Honours and is the Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University.

Sir Geoff is a prominent human rights activist and is involved in a considerable amount of charity work in the community. He recently chaired the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review, whose ten recommendations were accepted by Edinburgh City Council in August. The recommendations will lead to a public apology issued to those who suffered through the city’s involvement in slavery and colonialism, alongside other measures. In recognition of his ground-breaking contributions to academia, and his indefatigable defence of human rights in Edinburgh and beyond, Sir Geoff will receive the 2022 Edinburgh Award.

In this talk, Sir Geoff discussed his human-rights work and how Scotland can face up to and address its historical links to slavery and colonialism.

This event was part of a wider series of cultural events across the city in support of the University of Dundee's Bronze Race Equality Chartermark.