Open AccessCritical reflexivity and decolonial methodology in island studies: Interrogating the scholar within
Author(s) -
Yaso Nadarajah,
Elena Burgos Martinez,
Ping Su,
Adam Grydehøj
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
island studies journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.2
H-Index - 21
ISSN - 1715-2593
DOI - 10.24043/isj.380
Subject(s) - reflexivity , hegemony , denial , power (physics) , field (mathematics) , epistemology , sociology , position (finance) , environmental ethics , political science , anthropology , philosophy , law , psychology , psychoanalysis , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , politics , pure mathematics , finance , economics
Although the field of island studies has from the start regarded itself as a defender of islands and islander interests, it is entangled in coloniality. This editorial focuses on issues of power, knowledge, and position. Who wields power in island studies? Who knows about islands? Where is island studies located, and how does it position itself? The paper discusses problems such as tokenism and forced inclusions, denial and circumscription of expertise, and onto-epistemological discrimination and hegemony within island studies. Ultimately, the paper advances the need for critical reflexivity and decolonial methodology within island studies, for pluralistic approaches to inclusivity and recognition of epistemic differences.