Decolonizing Light
Tracing and countering colonialism in contemporary physics
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Decolonizing Light project explores ways and approaches to decolonize science, such as revitalizing and restoring Indigenous knowledges, and capacity building. The project aims to developing a culture of critical reflection and investigation of the relation of science and colonialism.
Current activities
An Evening of Indigenous Star Stories with Cree Astronomer Wilfred Buck – 10/26/2022
Video by Robin Edgar
Decolonizing Light is funded by New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRFE-2018-00725).
OUR TEAM
Decolonizing Light is composed of an interdisciplinary team of scholars
Tanja Tajmel, Centre for Engineering in Society, Concordia University (Principal Investigator)
Tanja is science education researcher and investigates mechanisms of exclusion from science.Â
Louellyn White, School of Community and Public Affairs, Concordia University (Co-Investigator)
Louellyn is Mohawk from Akwesasne, her work centres on decolonizing research through Indigenous frameworks.
Ingo Salzmann, Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University (Co-Investigator)
Ingo is physicist and investigates material properties with light.Â
Donna Kahérakwas Goodleaf, Concordia University (Collaborator)
Donna is Mohawk from Kahnawà :ke and Indigenous pedagogy adviser at Concordia University.
Gregor Kos, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University (Collaborator)
Gregor is lecturer and environmental analytical researcher; interested in local air quality and low-cost instrument development and performance; field research enthusiast.Â
Patrick Ragaz, Kahnawà :ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO)
General Manager of Field Science at the Kahnawà :ke Environment Protection Office; interest in environmental monitoring for the benefit of the community and the environment.Â
Cole Delisle, Kahnawà :ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO)
Environmental Projects Coordinator at the Kahnawà :ke Environment Protection Office; interested in monitoring long-term air quality trends, and data analysis.Â
Julie Delisle, Kahnawà :ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO)
Julie is Environmental Education Liaison at the KEPO, interested in educating community on importance of air quality for the benefit of future generations.
Hilding Neilson, University of Toronto (Collaborator)
Hilding is Mi’kmaq from Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) whose work focuses on stellar and exoplanet astrophysics and on indigenizing astronomy.Â
Wassim Nijaoui
Wassim is an undergraduate student in Software Engineering at Concordia’s Gina Cody School. He is part of the technical team for air-quality measurement in collaboration with the KEPO.
Yan Liu
Yan is an environmental scientist and part of the technical team for air-quality measurement in collaboration with the KEPO.
Danika Zachary
Danika is a student in Kinesiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology at Concordia University.
Anick Jasmin
Anick is a mechanical engineering student at Concordia with a multidisciplinary background, ranging from business to art and science.
Riya Dutta
Riya Dutta is currently pursuing a Master’s of Applied Science in Software Engineering at Concordia with a special focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She is combining her passion for EDI and her background in Software Engineering for her Master’s Research.
Tatiana Zanon
Tatiana is a PhD candidate at Concordia University studying EDI in STEM education, addressing othering and the marginalization of women and minorities in science and physics textbooks.Â
Melissa Mendes, McGill University Montreal
Melissa is a PhD candidate studying neutron stars core composition and their cooling mechanisms. She is also interested in decolonization and equity in higher education.Â
Carlos Mometti, University of São Paulo
Carlos is teacher trainer and PhD candidate studying colonialism in Brazilian and Canadian science curricula. Â
Élise Ross-Nadié
Élise is a young scholar currently achieving a Master of Arts in Media Studies at Concordia University focusing on Hook-up and Dating Apps.
COLLABORATORS
Katemari Rosa, Universidade Federal da Bahia (Collaborator)
Katemari is physics education researcher and particularly interested in debates in science education that consider intersectional approaches of race, gender and SES.Â
Mauricio Pietrocola, University of São Paulo (Collaborator)
Mauricio’s scientific background is epistemology and history of science, in his research he focusses currently on development of innovative strategies in science education and teachers training. Â
Jessica Bardill, Concordia University Montreal (Collaborator)
Jessica’s work centres on genomics, ethics education and Indigenous knowledges through literature.Â
Michael Mascarenhas, University of California Berkeley (Collaborator)
Michael’s research examines the relationship between neoliberalism, race, and environmental justice and racism on historically marginalized groups, populations and regions.Â
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Govind Gopakumar, Concordia University Montreal (Collaborator)
Govind’s research centres on the socio-political aspects of urban infrastructure and the governance of infrastructure change.Â
CONTACT US
Contact us at
contact@decolonizinglight.com
contact@decolonizinglight.com
MAILING ADDRESS
Centre for Engineering in Society
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
EV 2.255, Montreal, QC, CANADA
H3G 1M8
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
EV 2.255, Montreal, QC, CANADA
H3G 1M8
Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.
ON THE PHONE
1-514-848-2424 x 5982