Epistemic Leadership

This research track focuses on epistemic leadership to address epistemic and structural injustice. It explores the role of epistemic transitions in facilitating more just and equitable knowledge systems. The track recognizes the importance of non-Western, non-science ways of knowing as complementary to Western ways of knowing and examines the influence of power relations within knowledge systems.

Key Research Questions

1. How can epistemic leadership be conceptualized to address epistemic injustice and structural injustice?

2. What are the key characteristics of epistemic transitions and how can they be facilitated?

3. How can non-Western, non-science ways of knowing be integrated into epistemic leadership practices to challenge dominant knowledge paradigms?

4. What is the role of power relations in shaping knowledge systems, and how can epistemic leadership address these power imbalances?

5. What are the potential contexts for the application of epistemic leadership, such as multi-racial or multi-cultural arenas, transnational collaboration, inter-disciplinary work, knowledge work within hierarchies, decolonization work, biases, inter-generational work, reparations, online communities, and public online discourse?

Research Themes and Areas of Focus

1. Epistemic Injustice and Structural Injustice:

   • Analyzing the intersection of epistemic and structural injustice in various contexts.

   • Exploring the ways in which marginalized knowledge systems are excluded or undervalued.

   • Identifying strategies to challenge and dismantle systems of epistemic oppression.

2. Epistemic Transitions:

   • Defining epistemic transitions as shifts in knowledge paradigms, values, and practices.

   • Investigating the factors that drive epistemic transitions.

   • Developing frameworks for facilitating just and equitable epistemic transitions.

3. Non-Western, Non-Science Ways of Knowing:

   • Recognizing the diversity of knowledge systems beyond Western science.

   • Exploring the contributions of indigenous, traditional, and community-based knowledge systems.

   • Investigating how these knowledge systems can be integrated into epistemic leadership practices.

4. Power Relations in Knowledge Systems:

   • Analyzing the ways in which power is exercised in the production, dissemination, and validation of knowledge.

   • Examining the role of power in shaping epistemic hierarchies and marginalizing certain knowledge systems.

   • Developing strategies to challenge and dismantle power imbalances within knowledge systems.

5. Contexts for Epistemic Leadership:

   • Exploring the application of epistemic leadership in various contexts, such as:

     • Multi-racial or multi-cultural arenas: Addressing epistemic diversity and promoting intercultural understanding.

     • Transnational collaboration: Fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation across borders.

     • Inter-disciplinary work: Bridging knowledge gaps and promoting innovation.

     • Knowledge work within hierarchies: Challenging dominant knowledge paradigms and empowering marginalized voices.

     • Decolonization work: Addressing the legacies of colonialism and promoting Indigenous knowledge systems.

     • Biases: Identifying and addressing biases in knowledge production and dissemination.

     • Inter-generational work: Promoting knowledge transfer and bridging generational divides.

     • Reparations: Exploring the role of epistemic justice in reparations for historical injustices.

     • Online communities and public online discourse: Fostering inclusive and equitable online spaces for knowledge sharing and debate.

Research Methods

• Case studies: Examining specific examples of epistemic leadership in action.

• Interviews: Gathering insights from epistemic leaders, marginalized communities, and knowledge experts.

• Document analysis: Analyzing policy documents, academic literature, and historical records.

• Participatory research: Collaborating with marginalized communities to co-produce knowledge.

• Critical discourse analysis: Analyzing language and discourse to identify power dynamics and biases.

By focusing on these research themes and employing appropriate methodologies, this track can contribute to a deeper understanding of epistemic leadership and its potential to address pressing social and environmental challenges.