Roderick Murchison and the structure of Africa: A geological prediction and its consequences for British expansion

Stafford, Robert A.

doi:10.1080/00033798800200101

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Geological expeditions/surveys (although not necessarily solely geological -many aspects of fields such as trade, botany, and anthropology were also included) were an instrumental tool of colonial expansion (e.g. Stafford, 1984Stafford, , 1988Sangwan, 1993;Yusoff, 2018;Figueiredo, 2020;Zeller, 2000). Expeditions and surveys played an important role in the economic, technological, and cultural development of colonial powers (Britain and Spain in particular).…”

Section: Origins and "Firsts"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geology uprooted! Decolonising the curriculum for geologists

et al. 2022

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Abstract. Geology is colonial. It has a colonial past and a colonial present. Most of the knowledge that we accept as the modern discipline of geology was founded during the height of the post-1700 European empire's colonial expansion. Knowledge is not neutral, and its creation and use can be damaging to individuals and peoples. The concept of “decolonising the curriculum” has gathered attention recently, but this concept can be misunderstood or difficult to engage with for individuals who are not familiar (or trained to work) with the literature on the issue. This paper aims to demystify decolonising the curriculum, particularly with respect to geology. We explain what decolonising the curriculum is and then outline frameworks and terminology often found in decolonising literature. We discuss how geology is based on colonised knowledge and what effects this may have. We explore how we might decolonise the subject and, most importantly, why it matters. Together, through collaborative networks, we need to decolonise geology to ensure our discipline is inclusive, accessible to all, and relevant to the grand challenges facing diverse world societies.

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Section: Origins and "Firsts"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geology uprooted! Decolonising the curriculum for geologists

et al. 2022

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“…were also included) were an instrumental tool of colonial expansion (e.g. Stafford, 1984 and1988;Sangwan, 1993;Yusoff, 2018;Figueiredo, 2020;Zeller, 2000). Expeditions and surveys played an important role in the economic, technological and cultural development of colonial powers (B ritain in particular), notably in the 1830s -70s (Teale, 1945;Chakrabarti, 2019;Stafford, 1984 and1988).…”

Section: Origins and 'Firsts'mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stafford, 1984 and1988;Sangwan, 1993;Yusoff, 2018;Figueiredo, 2020;Zeller, 2000). Expeditions and surveys played an important role in the economic, technological and cultural development of colonial powers (B ritain in particular), notably in the 1830s -70s (Teale, 1945;Chakrabarti, 2019;Stafford, 1984 and1988). Many expeditions, surveys and 'missions' to countries and territories where colonies were later established included a geological element.…”

Section: Origins and 'Firsts'mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Geolo gical surveys were undertaken and estimates of natural resources were made, with the colonial party often being gu ided by locals. Many cases of colonial expansion and occupation were based on the findings of these 'exploratory' parties, particularly where natural resources were involved (Stafford, 1988). Other reasons for colonial expansion included strategic military/trade locations (including the slave trade), areas for European settlers to live and the desire to push colonial frontiers further into lands occupied by "savages" and "barbarians" (Webb, 2017).…”

Section: Origins and 'Firsts'mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geology Uprooted! Decolonising the Curriculum for Geologists

Rogers

Dowey

Lau

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Abstract. Geology is colonial. It has a colonial past, and a colonial present. The majority of the knowledge we accept as the modern discipline of geology was founded during the height of the early modern European Empires colonial expansion. Knowledge is not neutral and its creation and use can be damaging to individuals and peoples. The concept of knowledge being colonial or colonised has gathered attention recently, but this concept can be misunderstood or difficult to engage with by individuals who are not familiar or trained to work with the literature on the issue. This paper aims to demystify Decolonising the Curriculum, particularly with respect to geology. We explain what Decolonising the Curriculum is, and outline frameworks and terminology often found in decolonising literature. We discuss how geology is based on colonised knowledge and what effects this may have. We explore how we might decolonise the subject and most importantly, why it matters. Together, through collaborative networks, we need to decolonise geology to ensure our discipline is inclusive, accessible to all and relevant to the grand challenges facing our civilization.

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“…Geology and paleontology (inclusive of paleobiology and evolutionary biology) are part of this system (Bernard and Cooperdock 2018;Montañez 2018). These disciplines are irrevocably tied to a complicated history of colonialism, extraction, and discrimination (Stafford 1988;Secord 2018;Yusoff 2018;Chakrabarti 2019; Table 1). The colonial roots of geology and paleontology have played a fundamental role in shaping their structures and cultures (e.g., Erickson 2020) and must be systemically addressed (Dutt 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Our past creates our present: a brief overview of racism and colonialism in Western paleontology

Monarrez¹,

Zimmt²,

Clement³

et al. 2021

Paleobiology

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As practitioners of a historical science, paleontologists and geoscientists are well versed in the idea that the ability to understand and to anticipate the future relies upon our collective knowledge of the past. Despite this understanding, the fundamental role that the history of paleontology and the geosciences plays in shaping the structure and culture of our disciplines is seldom recognized and therefore not acted upon sufficiently. Here, we present a brief review of the history of paleontology and geology in Western countries, with a particular focus on North America since the 1800s. Western paleontology and geology are intertwined with systematic practices of exclusion, oppression, and erasure that arose from their direct participation in the extraction of geological and biological resources at the expense of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Our collective failure to acknowledge this history hinders our ability to address these issues meaningfully and systemically in present-day educational, academic, and professional settings. By discussing these issues and suggesting some ways forward, we intend to promote a deeper reflection upon our collective history and a broader conversation surrounding racism, colonialism, and exclusion within our scientific communities. Ultimately, it is necessary to listen to members of the communities most impacted by these issues to create actionable steps forward while holding ourselves accountable for the past.

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Roderick Murchison and the structure of Africa: A geological prediction and its consequences for British expansion

Cited by 8 publications

References 31 publications

Geology uprooted! Decolonising the curriculum for geologists

Geology uprooted! Decolonising the curriculum for geologists

Geology Uprooted! Decolonising the Curriculum for Geologists

Our past creates our present: a brief overview of racism and colonialism in Western paleontology

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