The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has come under scrutiny following allegations of systemic racism and cultural insensitivity made by a former senior staff member. Yuko Kikuchi, who served as head of academic programmes until January, resigned citing concerns about the institution's handling of diversity and inclusion. In a letter addressed to the museum’s director, Sir Tristram Hunt, Kikuchi described a work environment marked by a “systemic lack of understanding” around decolonial scholarship and the impact of discriminatory practices.

Kikuchi, who has lived in the UK since the 1980s, said she was frequently the only non-white person present in meetings and was advised by a senior colleague to avoid terms like “decolonial” and “postcolonial” to prevent upsetting patrons and donors. She argued that despite the V&A's public commitments to inclusivity, its imperial and colonial origins remain deeply embedded. Kikuchi’s letter included testimonies from students alleging that some teaching perpetuated Eurocentric views, such as how 18th-century slave revolts in Jamaica were portrayed, and that museum staff showed a lack of compassion regarding objects acquired under slavery. These students also described a reluctance within the institution to engage with debates on the restitution of looted artefacts.

The V&A has rejected the accusations of systemic racism, emphasizing its commitment to diversity, equality, and the elimination of discrimination. The museum stated that it takes reports of discriminatory behaviour and unsafe learning environments “extremely seriously” and is actively examining its colonial legacies through public programming, educational initiatives, and research on its collections.

Kikuchi had reportedly faced resistance to proposals aimed at diversifying the museum’s academic offerings. One such proposal involved launching a course titled “Postcolonial Identity, Museum Collections and Transnationalism” as part of a history of design master’s degree run jointly by the V&A and the Royal College of Art (RCA). In response to the claims and concerns raised, the V&A and RCA issued a joint statement affirming that the programme critically addresses issues of social justice, decolonization, and global histories. Both institutions confirmed they are taking steps to improve teaching, pastoral care, and staff development, reaffirming their dedication to a global and inclusive curriculum.

The allegations emerge amid ongoing debates over the repatriation of artefacts acquired during Britain’s imperial past. The V&A, alongside other national museums, has sought to negotiate returns of objects such as the Benin Bronzes, though these efforts are constrained by legislation that restricts the deaccessioning of items from national collections. Sir Tristram Hunt has called on governments to amend laws that limit the museum’s ability to return artefacts, describing current rules as infantilizing trustees.

The controversy highlights broader challenges facing UK cultural institutions as they navigate their colonial inheritances and strive to foster more inclusive environments for staff and visitors alike.