Indigenous Pathways into Social Research: Voices of a New Generation

Book Details
• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 9781598746969
• Author: Donna M. Mertens
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Pages: 413
• Binding: Paperback

Description:
A new generation of indigenous researchers is taking its place in the world of social research in increasing numbers. These scholars provide new insights into communities under the research gaze and offer new ways of knowing to traditional scholarly models. They also move the research community toward more sensitive and collaborative practices. But it comes at a cost. Many in this generation have met with resistance or indifference in their journeys through the academic system and in the halls of power. They also often face ethical quandaries or even strong opposition from their own communities.

The life stories in this book present the journeys of over 30 indigenous researchers from six continents and many different disciplines. They show, in their own words, the challenges, paradoxes, and oppression they have faced, their strategies for overcoming them, and how their work has produced more meaningful research and a more just society.

About the Author
Donna M. Mertens is a Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations and Research at Gallaudet University, where she teaches advanced research methods and program evaluation to deaf and hearing students. She also serves as editor for the Journal of Mixed Methods Research. Her primary focus is transformative mixed-methods inquiry in diverse communities, prioritizing the ethical implications of research in pursuit of social justice.

Fiona Cram is the Director of Katoa Ltd., a research, evaluation, and training company in Wellington, New Zealand. She is a Ngati Kahungunu and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Otago. She has worked with Maori health, community development, and research and evaluation ethics.

Bagele Chilisa is an Associate Professor at the University of Botswana, specializing in research methods and evaluation courses. Her work focuses on indigenous research methodologies and addressing oppression and discrimination in culturally complex communities.