Indigenous Sovereignty in Science and Data: Histories and Futures in New Guinea and Hawai‘i

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Event Description:
This panel brings together Indigenous scholars to critically examine the historical and ongoing impacts of exploration, scientific research, and anthropology on Indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea and Hawai‘i. Panelists will explore the intersections of Indigenous rights, data sovereignty, and the colonial legacies embedded within scientific knowledge production.  

The panelists will reflect on how historical expeditions and research projects extracted knowledge, resources, and data from Indigenous lands and bodies, often without consent or reciprocity. They will interrogate the ways in which scientific and anthropological institutions have upheld colonial power structures, while also considering how Indigenous scholars and communities are reclaiming control over their knowledge and data.  

Through discussions of biocultural heritage, climate research, conservation, and food sovereignty, this panel will highlight efforts to establish ethical research frameworks that respect Indigenous sovereignty. Drawing from experiences in both New Guinea and Hawai‘i, the panelists will address contemporary movements toward Indigenous-led research methodologies, legal protections, and data governance models that center Indigenous epistemologies and self-determination.  

By placing these diverse yet interconnected histories and struggles in conversation, this panel challenges dominant narratives of scientific exploration and proposes pathways toward decolonial, community-centered knowledge practices that honor Indigenous rights, agency, and futures.

Event Speakers:
Hi‘ilei Hobart, Assistant Professor of Ethnicity, Race, and Migration at Yale University
Miriam Supuma, Programme Manager at Synchronicity Earth
Moderated by Paige West, Claire Tow Professor of Anthropology at Columbia University
Event Information
Free and open to the public; registration required. Please email scienceandsociety@columbia.edu with any questions.

Hosted by the Center for Science and Society at Columbia University. Co-sponsored by the Department of Anthropology at Columbia University.

The Center for Science and Society makes every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodations to attend a Center for Science and Society event, please contact us at scienceandsociety@columbia.edu or (212) 854-0666 at least 10 days in advance of the event. For more information, please visit the campus accessibility webpage.