The Centre for Research on Slavery and Indenture (CRSI) is a multidisciplinary Research Centre based at the University of Mauritius. It is part of the University’s commitment to the scientific study of Mauritian history and in particular the history of slavery and indenture, these two being the most important migratory movements into Mauritius. It serves to focus and sustain activities in the study of Mauritian and Indian Ocean history and heritage and to encourage collaboration among different disciplines and/or areas of specialisation and programmes.

The CRSI is flexible and responsive to changing circumstances and opportunities. It creates synergy and community engagement, as well as provides opportunities for mentoring, postgraduate studies and the development of expertise.

The CRSI was founded in 2006 in order to continue interdisciplinary research undertaken by the Department of History between 1998-2006. The need was felt for a structure to accommodate the particularities of our research which often included non-faculty members. This was the case, especially for applied research projects and where other disciplines were called upon to contribute to projects and to bring in people of all backgrounds, members of the public. A separate structure with formal collaboration with other institutions allowed us to search for additional funding. Thus, to the study of history, was added over the years, ethnography, archaeology, oral history, genealogy & family history, political & economic history, natural & tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

We have made slow but sure progress in getting our unique approach recognised. We are one of the few institutions to cross thematic and disciplinary boundaries and see the need for slavery and indenture to be viewed as parts of one system originating in the eighteenth century in the South West Indian Ocean and that deserves to be studied together rather than separately as is so often the case in Mauritius and overseas upto today. We are people with passion for our subject and who care deeply about Mauritian history and the history of the region. We encourage team spirit and a congenial, inclusive approach and urge people to participate in the writing of their history.

• Local and overseas researchers and experts willing to collaborate on projects and share their skills and research
• Mauritians wishing to learn more about Mauritian and Indian Ocean history and the various forms of unfree labour.