Project Description
This is a transdisciplinary research activity aiming to make the role of languages, translation and interpreting more visible in Arctic research with the aim of contributing to its decolonization. Decolonization in Arctic science and research is an ongoing, dynamic process of “achieving greater justice and equity by challenging and dismantling colonial forms of domination in international socio-political and economic settings” (Herrmann et al. 2023). This process aims for “broader social and institutional transformation” and providing tools “to overcome forms of domination that marginalise Indigenous peoples, deprive them of their rights and agency, and hinder the production of valid and relevant research in the Arctic” (ibid.). The activity is in line with Pillars 1 and 2 in the IASC Strategic Plan 2023-2026, namely “facilitating Arctic research cooperation” and “promoting engagement”.
In this project, we are proposing to facilitate an in-person workshop in the Inuit Nunangat that will bring together translators/interpreters and Indigenous project leaders who worked on the 13 large collaborative Arctic research projects that comprise the CINUK (Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme https://www.cinuk.org/). Through this workshop we hope to shed light on the ethical implications of translation/interpreting in the co-production of knowledge with Arctic Indigenous peoples.
At the workshop, we will facilitate discussions on issues such as who translates/interprets as part of these projects, what resources are available to them, when and where does translation and interpreting become part of Arctic research, and whether current practices of Indigenous linguistic and cultural representation are contributing to the decolonization of Arctic research.
Date and Location
TBC | Canada
IASC Working Groups funding the project
- Cryosphere WG
- Marine WG
- Social & Human WG
- Terrestrial WG
Project Lead
Şebnem Susam-Saraeva (University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)
Year funded by IASC
2025