Theorizing and applying critical indigenous philosophies

This is a PhD singular course open to doctoral degree students.

The course will take its starting point in Sápmi and focus on theories of knowledge and different knowledge systems, the application of knowledge and different approaches to Indigenous methodologies, as well as how these can be integrated and applied as analytical tools in Indigenous research.

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian Master´s Degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that they are registered PhD students.

Holders of a Master´s Degree must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you

see this list

For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see

this document

The course has 15 seats. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available on the PhD course, applicants will be ranked from category 1 to 4.

Category 1: People admitted to the PhD Programme at UiT

Category 2: Participants in the Associate Professor Programme that fulfil the educational requirements

Category 3: Doctoral students from other universities. Arctic Five universities, Nord University, and The Sámi University of Applied Sciences have priority.

Category 4: People with a minimum of a Master´s Degree (or equivalent). (A Norwegian Master´s Degree of 5 years or 3 (Bachelor Degree) + 2 years (Master’s Degree).

By the end of the course the student has obtained the following:

Knowledge: The student has

• an overview of the history of indigenous research and methodologies, and of their place in the history of science and philosophy.
• insights into challenges related to different and complex forms of knowledge, and into the application and communication of traditional and indigenous knowledge.

Skills: The student is able to / can

• analyze and compare the complexity of indigenous contexts taking into account the different colonial histories and current situations.
• apply findings and challenges from indigenous methodologies in context specific research projects, including boundaries and problems.
• consider and discuss the use of indigenous methodologies and philosophies in research.
• reflect upon his/her role as researcher and on the ethical discussions of doing research on indigenous issues.

Competence: The student is able to / may

• recognise the complexity of indigenous contexts and take them as starting points for research, as well as letting the research be informed by indigenous methodologies.
• apply the subject-specific discussions on comprehending methodological approaches and ethics to understanding the development of indigenous rights.

• assess the appropriateness and application of methodological approaches in the normative struggle of promoting indigenous rights.
• compare the complexity of indigenous situations, and to participate in high-level discussions about different methodological approaches.

Language of instruction and examination

Ph.d.-students at UiT register for class and examination in Studentweb by February 1.

Other applicants: December 1st

Application code 9301 in Søknadsweb

More info about the coursework requirements

Re-sit examination