Power and Knowledge: The third Residency cohort discussed inequalities in the global knowledge systems. How does knowledge make its way into the world, and who is seen and recognised as an expert in the international academic context? In various transdisciplinary projects, the cohort developed perspectives on the question as to what a fairer global exchange of knowledge could look like – above all, in consideration of (neo-)colonial dependencies and local knowledge cultures.
Humboldt Residency Programme 2024
The participants of the Humboldt Residency Programme 2024 during their work phase in Berlin-Wedding.
Adenike Akinsemolu is an honorary professor at the University of Birmingham/UK and works on the impact of climate change on the gender dynamics of the Nigerian coastal region. As head of the Green Institute, she campaigns for integrative, just climate solutions that integrate gender-specific aspects and thus inspire transformative ideas.
In the context of his PhD at the Australian National University /Australia, Christer de Silva grapples with epistemic justice, “pluriversity” and decoloniality in science communication and transformative sustainability research.
The freelance journalist, Annick Eimer, primarily deals with science policy and is the editor of the Deutsche Universitätszeitung (DUZ – German University Newspaper).
Matthew Fitzpatrick is a historian at Flinders University/Australia addressing the history of German colonialism. He was previously a Humboldt Fellow at the University of Münster in 2010-2011.
Sarah Iqbal is a research manager at the George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi /India. She took her doctorate in biochemistry at Aligarh Muslim University. She is passionate about reshaping the knowledge dissemination landscape in order to reinforce the impact of research.
Nandini Tanya Lallmon is an activist interested in closing the gap between the formulation of political goals and their practical application with regard to the rights of LGBTQIA+ people in the island states of Africa. She is co-founder of #Reform movement and researcher at the University of Malta.
Amie Liebowitz is a freelance journalist and moderator. She is currently a radio journalist responsible for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Project at BBC Africa, BBC World Service.
Lkhamsuren Munkh-Erdene is a professor of history and anthropology at the National University of Mongolia/Ulaanbaatar. His research focuses on the theories of the origins and nature of the state as well as the construction of collective identity in Mongolia. He was previously a Humboldt Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle Saale.
Tlamelo Makati is a doctoral student in computer science at the Technological University Dublin/Ireland focusing on AI and digital accessibility. Her research explores the application of AI in digital environments and their impact on the accessibility of online information for people with disabilities.
Babita Paudel is the founder and head of the Centre for Natural and Applied Sciences, Kathmandu/Nepal. Her research focuses on the natural product chemistry of medicinal plants and microorganisms. In addition to her academic work, Babita campaigns for decolonising science in Nepal.
In the context of the SDG Graduate School “Performing Sustainability: Cultures and Development in West Africa,” Shadrach Ukuma completed a doctorate in cultural performance/sustainability at the Universities of Hildesheim/Germany and Maiduguri/Nigeria. He is particularly interested in festivals, their agency for knowledge co-creation, community building and transcultural encounters.
Creative approaches to anti-colonial and local knowledge cultures
Artistically creative approaches can deliver an important counter-narrative to established knowledge forms and practices. Video documentaries and a zine provide insights into Indigenous and local experiences.