Decolonizing Methodologies

This essential volume explores intersections of imperialism and research – specifically, the ways in which imperialism is embedded in disciplines of knowledge and tradition as ‘regimes of truth’. Concepts such as ‘discovery’ and ‘claiming’ are discussed and an argument presented that the decolonisation of research methods will help to reclaim control over indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Now in its eagerly awaited second edition, published in New Zealand by Otago University Press, this bestselling book has been substantially revised, with new case-studies and examples and important additions on new indigenous literature, and the role of research in indigenous struggles for social justice, which brings this essential volume urgently up-to-date.

At the turn of the millennium Linda Tuhiwai Smith’s trail-blazing book, Decolonizing Methodologies, was one of the greatest contributions towards instilling pride and dignity in indigenous peoples all over the world. Not only did she demonstrate beyond any question that indigenous research is important for building scholarship about our own cultures, she also showed in a convincing way that indigenous peoples’ research has a place of its own in today’s academia. This new, extended and updated version of the book brings the reader to the core of the matter, at the same time as it pays homage to indigenous ways of transmitting knowledge and promotes this knowledge’s transforming power.