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Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

Epistemic Reparations

The Epistemic Reparations Global Working Group aims to create a more holistic, survivor- and victim-centered framework for understanding reparations that includes the recognition of the “right to be known” for those who have experienced gross human rights violations.
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About the Project

There is growing recognition around the world that existing tools to address gross violations of human rights have not achieved meaningful justice for survivors and victims who seek epistemic reparations, which include the critical right to tell one’s story and be heard. This group aims to create a framework for understanding reparations through interdisciplinary research and policy change that recognize the “right to be known.” This critical but previously underappreciated right can be fulfilled through the facilitation of opportunities for survivors and victims to testify and document their own stories to a wider public.​ Learn more in our Buffett Brief on Epistemic Reparation, or explore more Global Working Groups' research in our collection of Buffett Briefs >>

READ THE BUFFETT BRIEF ON EPISTEMIC REPARATIONS

 

Group Members

Co-leads

Frommer's headshot

Benjamin Frommer

History, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Bio
Lackey's headshot

Jennifer Lackey

Philosophy, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Bio

Group Members

Bedi's headshot

Sheila Bedi

Clinical Law, Pritzker School of Law
Bio
Buth's headshot

Annalise Buth

Clinical Law, Pritzker School of Law
Bio
Collins' headshot

Rives Collins

Theatre, School of Communication
Bio
Cushman's headshot

Sarah Cushman

Director, Holocaust Educational Foundation of Northwestern University
Bio
Huffman's headshot

Brent Huffman

Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Bio
Kotlowitz's headshot

Alex Kotlowitz

Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

Bio
Summersett Williams's headshot

Faith Summersett Williams

Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine
Bio
Tuerkheimer's headshot

Deborah Tuerkheimer

Law, Pritzker School of Law
Bio
Boult's headshot

Cameron Boult

Associate Professor of Philosophy, Brandon University
Bio
Brik's headshot

Tymofii Brik

Rector, Kyiv School of Economics
Bio
Donelson's headshot

Raff Donelson

Associate Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law
Bio
Kane's headshot

Yukari Kane

Co-founder, the Prison Journalism Project
Bio
Julia's headshot

Julia Lafreniere

Head of Indigenous Ways and Equity, Winnipeg Art Gallery - Qaumajuq

Bio
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Veli Mitova

Professor of Philosophy and Director of the African Centre for Epistemology and Philosophy of Science, University of Johannesburg
Bio
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Mongane Serote

Former African National Congress member, former poet laureate and writer
Bio
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Robin Rue Simmons

Founder and Executive Director, First Repair
Bio

Latest Work and Developments

Engagement Activities

  • Epistemic Blame and Epistemic Reparations
    September 15–16, 2023 at the Qaumajuq Musuem and University of Manitoba 
    This workshop will bring together philosophers, Indigenous activists and artists to explore the intersection of epistemic reparations and epistemic blame. The workshop will be accompanied by a free public lecture by Senator Mary Jane McCallum and will be followed by a free Community Led Tour of Qaumajuq, the world's largest public collection of Inuit art. Epistemic Reparations group member Julia Lafreniere is Head of Indigenous Ways and Equity at Qaumajuq. This event is co-organized by the Department of Philosophy at Brandon University and the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba.

  • Conversations with the Apartheid Past
    May 6–10, 2024 at various locations in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa
    This five-day series of events will organize conversations with Apartheid activists, descendants and artists through a workshop, working groups, interviews and poetry readings. This series is organized by the African Centre for Epistemology and Philosophy of Science (ACEPS) at the University of Johannesburg. Epistemic Reparations group member Veli Mitova is the director of ACEPS.

  • Epistemic Reparations: Decolonizing Recognition in Canada 
    September 10–12, 2024 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights  
    In partnership with Centre for Human Rights Research and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, this international event will bring together Indigenous leaders, elders and scholars as well as commissioners from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), including Murray Sinclair, to examine future directions of the role for recognition in a Canadian context. Curators of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be invited to participate in the workshop, and it will incorporate themes that emerge in a temporary interactive exhibit at the Museum. This event is co-organized by the Department of Philosophy at Brandon University, where Epistemic Reparations group member Cameron Boult serves as Associate Professor of Philosophy, and the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba.