Diversifying higher education curricula has been called for as one way to reduce racial inequalities in higher education. This study makes an original contribution by focusing on images of people in lecture slides. We explored how people of colour versus white individuals were portrayed in images (n = 250) used in lecture slides in four first-year core social sciences modules and whether the images were likely to be 'inspiring' to racially minoritised students. Drawing on visual content analysis used in textbook studies and thematic analysis, we developed a novel method of analysing lecture slide images. Only 12% of the images presented people of colour in positive, non-stereotyped and active roles that could be described as inspiring. People of colour were less likely to be presented and less likely to be featured exclusively in an image than white people. By applying a Critical Race Theory framework, we discuss implications for curricular reform.