Introduction
The history of research is as long, complex, and varied as any other major aspect of human society. Whilst we often focus exclusively on the positive aspects of this history, it is just as important to acknowledge the parts that we are less proud of. A full understanding of the history of research is important to give us a balanced view on its role in society and is crucial to make sure we don’t inadvertently act to maintain structures of oppression.
One particularly relevant example of this is the interrelationship between research and European settler-colonialism. Their long and mutually beneficial relationship means that contemporary research is deeply embedded within the interpersonal violence, cultural eradication, and environmental damage that is the global legacy of colonialism. If research is to evolve beyond this, we must understand and actively work to undo the ways in which research perpetuates this legacy.
Colonialism and Knowledge - Funie Hsu
In this video, Funie Hsu, a transdisciplinary scholar on US empire and knowledge production, discusses the intimate relationship between academia and colonialism.
The article Decolonizing the University by Suren Pillay discusses the decolonisation of universities in South Africa. The concepts discussed are broadly generalisable and useful to anyone thinking about research and the legacy of colonialism, particularly the notion of ‘epistemic violence’.
The example of colonialism illustrates how the history of research, or of a specific research discipline, can have far-reaching consequences. Understanding the socio-historical context within which research occurs is essential for understanding and improving the effects of research on the world around us.
Activity
Engage with these questions yourself by writing down answers as a list or mind-map. You can also discuss them with a colleague in your research field. You may need to read around the subject to answer them, use the resources from this section as a starting point.
- What did your research field look like in the past? What was it like 100, 200, or 500 years ago? If it didn’t exist then, consider the research discipline that your field emerged from. Consider who performed the research, what kinds of questions they asked, and what type of methods they used.
- Are there any ways in which research from this field has caused harm, either to people or the environment? Think broadly, harm may not have been the intended research goal. Furthermore, harm can look like many different things, such as physical violence, psychological damage, or structural oppression.
- What influences from this past can still be seen today?
- How could this history have been different? What might your research field look like today had things been otherwise?
References and Further Resources
The article Remapping science: Researchers reckon with a colonial legacy, published in Science magazine, provides an overview of how colonial influences continue to affect contemporary scientific research.
The Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy entry on Colonialism gives an overview of the philosophical response to European colonisation.
