Like many universities across the world, we commissioned research to understand our links and connections to the trafficking of enslaved African people. We have done this to better understand our institution’s complex connections with the slave trade so we can have long-lasting impact and create a more inclusive environment.

This initial research would not have been possible without significant contributions from Professor Olivette Otele and Dr Richard Stone, along with a range of colleagues within the University of Bristol, in particular Professor Isabella Aboderin, Professor Alvin Birdi, Valuola Ojeme, Alicia O'Grady, Professor Leon Tikly, and Lillian Waddington.

The report finds that we can link enslaved labour directly or indirectly, to all three of the family names represented in our University crest: Wills, Fry and Colston. We have a responsibility to acknowledge this and to be honest when responding to our history today.

Read the Legacies of Slavery report

Actions from the Legacies of Slavery report

This initial report highlighted that there is much more to explore and understand about our history.

Read our Vice-Chancellor Professor Evelyn Welch's response to the report.

The report created the foundations for the building renaming public consultation which led to our ten-year commitment to create transformational change with the Reparative Futures programme.

Learn more about the Reparative Futures programme.