The Decolonizing Science Documentary Film Project by Kendall Moore

The Decolonizing Science Documentary Film Project by ODL Fellow Kendall Moore will explore the origins, creation, and evolution of western science as a western European colonial enterprise, one that sublimated, marginalized and re-narrativized the practices, procedures, ethics, and contributions of the racially marginalized, underrepresented people of color (UR-POC) in science, today. The film will consist of thoughts and perspectives from various representatives who reflect a non-dominant, and historically undervalued perspective, concerning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). As a mode of, and commentary on, decolonization, the film will illustrate how to practice better, more ethical science in communities of color (CoC), on their/our lands, and within their/our nations. This project will bring various perspectives and cultures into one broad conversation, positioning (informal learning institutions) ILIs, and the scientists they work with, to navigate contemporary social tensions through research that can value diverse perspectives, promote more inclusive practices and result in better place-based science. Through this film project, we have a valuable opportunity to model ethics of eliciting knowledge that resides in the expertise embodied in members of under-represented communities. Ethics is more than a checklist laid alongside scientific inquiry. Ethical values are part of the obligation to contextualize and situate studies and inquiry in ways that make sense to affected communities.