The Epistemic Reparations group aims to create a more holistic and victim-centered framework for understanding reparations to generate recognition of the “right to be known” for victims of gross human rights violations.

There is growing recognition around the world that existing tools to address gross violations of human rights have not achieved meaningful justice for victims who seek epistemic reparations, or the critical right to tell one’s story and be heard. This group aims to create a more holistic and victim-centered framework for understanding reparations through interdisciplinary research and generating policy changes that recognize victims' "right to be known" — a critical, but hitherto neglected, means to achieve justice through the facilitation of opportunities to testify and document their own stories to a wider public.​

Co-leads:

• Jennifer Lackey, Philosophy, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
• Benjamin Frommer, History, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Northwestern group members:

• Annalise Buth, Clinical Law, Pritzker School of Law
• Sheila Bedi, Clinical Law, Pritzker School of Law
• Rives Collins, Theatre, School of Communication
• Sarah Cushman, Director, Holocaust Educational Foundation of Northwestern University
• Brent Huffman, Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
• Alex Kotlowitz, Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
• Deborah Tuerkheimer, Law, Pritzker School of Law

External group members:

• Tymofii Brik, Rector, Kyiv School of Economics
• Cameron Boult, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Brandon University
• Yukari Kane, Co-founder, the Prison Journalism Project
• Julia Lafreniere, Head of Indigenous Initiatives, Winnipeg Art Gallery's Qaumajuq
• Mary Jane McCallum, Senator of Canada representing Manitoba
• Veli Mitova, African Centre for Epistemology and Philosophy of Science, University of Johannesburg
• Mongane Serote, Former African National Congress member, former poet laureate and writer
• Robin Rue Simmons, Founder and Executive Director, First Repair

Engagement Activities  

• Epistemic Blame and Epistemic Reparations
  September 15–16, 2023 at the Qaumajuc 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 Epistemic Reparations group member Senator Mary Jane McCallum and will be followed by a free Community Led Tour of Qaumajuc, the world's largest public collection of Inuit art. Epistemic Reparations group member Julia Lafreniere is Head of Indigenous Initiatives at Quamajuc. 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, the province represented by Epistemic Reparations group member Senator Mary Jane McCallum.