The contemporary global order is being reshaped by geopolitical, social, economic and technological transformations. These changes create both opportunities and challenges for Indigenous peoples and their knowledge systems. While Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is increasingly recognised for its contributions to sustainability, innovation, livelihoods, environmental governance and development, important questions remain about the political, institutional and economic conditions that determine whether this knowledge is effectively recognised, protected, governed and translated into social and economic value. At the same time, Indigenous knowledge continues to confront historical and contemporary forms of marginalisation, epistemic inequality, knowledge extraction and unequal distribution of benefits.
This panel explores the political economy of Indigenous Knowledge in a changing global order, bringing together academic research, Indigenous and community perspectives, policy experiences and interdisciplinary approaches across the globe. It examines how power relations, institutions, governance arrangements, regulatory frameworks, markets and emerging technologies shape the production, recognition, transmission, protection, use and valuation of Indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge is a unique knowledge generated and used in unique contexts in relation to mainstream knowledge systems. The panel is particularly interested in moving beyond approaches that treat Indigenous knowledge simply as knowledge to be documented or incorporated into existing systems, and instead asks how Indigenous knowledge systems, institutions and forms of authority can influence and potentially transform contemporary research, innovation, governance and development agendas.
Papers are invited, but are not limited to, the following thematic areas:
1. Indigenous Knowledge, Innovation and Measurement
2. Indigenous Knowledge Systems Governance, Institutions and Measurement
3. Indigenous Knowledge in the Age of AI
4. Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Data Governance
5. Epistemic Justice, Recognition and the Politics of Knowledge
6. Commercialization, Intellectual Property and Benefit Sharing
7. Indigenous Knowledge and Research and Innovation Systems
8. Indigenous Knowledge, Political Economy and Development
The panel welcomes conceptual, empirical, methodological, comparative and policy-oriented contributions that examine how Indigenous knowledge is positioned within changing political and economic systems. Contributions may explore diverse geographical contexts, including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Pacific and other regions.