Storytelling, sovereignty, and STEM

Justin Lund

Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
OSU Center for Health Sciences

Inclusive and engaged research and education are essential for fostering equity and mutual respect. Yet, academic approaches to culturally appropriate knowledge production and community engagement vary widely. Indigenous communities have long been a focus of research, often emphasizing their ways of living, biologies, and narratives—frequently without equitable collaboration. To move toward more just engagement, educators and researchers must embrace decolonization practices that prioritize Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. While “decolonization” is often invoked as a buzzword, its practical application can be deeply transformative. In this talk, Dr. Lund will share insights from education and research initiatives co-created with Indigenous communities and students. These efforts aim to honor Tribal sovereignty and cultivate a new generation of Indigenous scientists, setting a model for equitable and impactful collaborations.