Research summary
Black Canadians face vulnerabilities in the arts and in gender performances because of systemic racism and extractive capitalism. As Canada Research Chair in Black Global Studies and Decolonial Practice, Dr. Michael Bucknor’s goal is to find ways to address this critical issue.
He aims to reconceive arts institutions through alliances to expose Black resilience and humanity and come up with imaginative blueprints for a more equitable future. To this end, he and his research team, made up of cultural workers and scholars in the Caribbean, Europe, North America and Africa, are conducting archival research, author interviews, creative workshops and public events. Ultimately, their work will provide mentorship to Black students and lead to training opportunities for graduate and early career scholars, showcasing their talents and maximizing their trajectories.