Relational Science Podcast
Remaking Glaciology: Indigenous Science and Biocultural Ethics
Sierra Hicks and I discuss the deep-rooted colonial legacies as a field founded on exploration and masculinity that contextualize the unique barriers faced by glaciologists, which make it difficult to embrace values such as relationality, accountability, and reciprocity in our research. I hope to encourage my peers and colleagues to reapproach their research through actionable practices that do not require them to leave their own passions behind or force community partnerships that are not realistic or sustainable, but understand their own role and responsibility as a relation with Mother Earth as well as the human and more than human beings connected to the landscapes we study.
I am grateful to share my experiences in glaciology and how I practice and imagine relationality within the field. I hope this chat inspires others and invites larger discussion and collaboration across disciplines.
Maarsii!
Engaging in Relational Glaciology:
How can we begin?
This post introduces a work-in-progress: “The Decolon-ice-ation of Glaciology”, a set of guiding principles for transforming cryosphere science through relational practices. It is unfinished, leaving many questions unanswered. I am a master’s student who often questions whether I know enough about geophysics, let alone critical theory and Indigenous science, to be saying any of this. But I also know that transformation begins somewhere, and I have the privilege many do not to voice these values and foster collective accountability within academic spaces. Waiting until I feel qualified only perpetuates colonial narratives and keeps the community silent without a space to begin this change.