Student voices: Reflections on the IARIMOS conference
As three graduate students coming from diverse backgrounds and research fields, being part of the second conference of the International Academy of Research in Indigenous Management and Organization Studies (IARIMOS), held in August 2024, was an incredible moment in our graduate journey at the University of Ottawa. Shamim had just arrived in Canada from Bangladesh to embark on a doctoral program at the Telfer School of Management. Iliana was about to start a doctoral program in human geography to work with Indigenous communities on climate change, and Noora was in the process of writing her MSc thesis reflecting and theorizing on her work on community development with local communities.
The IARIMOS conference was organized by Telfer professor Ana María Peredo, a distinguished scholar and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and guided by Mi'kmaq elder Patricia Saulis. The gathering highlighted critical research which was conducted with Indigenous communities' place, culture, languages, entrepreneurship, and sustainability practices at the forefront. Indigenous Knowledge offers diverse pathways for addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation.
This event made us reflect on the fact that for centuries, Indigenous Knowledge has often been overlooked in academia, particularly in management and organizations, as well as other social sciences. IARIMOS served as an excellent platform for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers to present emerging research reflecting the lived experiences of Indigenous communities, which have a significant impact on various spheres of society today. Emerging scholars and senior academics discussed the critical role of Indigenous wisdom, emphasizing the need for reciprocity while honouring the customs, cultures, and practices of Indigenous and First Nations Peoples. IARIMOS is leading a movement that calls for greater appreciation of Indigenous Knowledge in management and organization studies.
Telfer's Master of Science in Management (MSc MGT) is a project or thesis-based program that prepares you to think differently by looking at challenging questions related to business, management, and human behaviour and finding novel ways to uncover empirically-driven answers.
During the conference, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous junior scholars shared their experiences working with Indigenous communities and presented research findings on how the Indigenous way of life provides insights into social entrepreneurship, political ontology, cultural resilience, sustainability awareness, and human relationships. Discussions on Indigenous organizing opened up exploration into the market and non-market interactions of Indigenous people, their foodways, and health and wellness aspects. The enduring traditions and knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples offers a new perspective on today’s multiple social and ecological challenges.
A circle of reciprocity
Held in a circle, the conference created a space for scholarly discussions, where all participants were on equal footing, and the worldviews of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities could be shared and understood. The gathering was guided by traditional Indigenous approaches, including prayers, Indigenous songs and dance, and the sharing of stories and personal reflections. The conference design mirrored the circular and relational nature of Indigenous cultures, emphasizing the importance of relationship building, reciprocity, and a holistic understanding of the world. IARIMOS generated a profound sense of unity, respect, and a shared commitment to advancing Indigenous research, knowledge, and practices in management and organizational studies. Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars “danced” together in reciprocity, signalling a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable research landscape, one where diverse voices and perspectives are celebrated and honoured.
Professor Peredo emphasized reciprocity as a core principle, with participants highlighting the need to give back to Indigenous communities and ensure that research regarding Indigenous contexts truly benefits Indigenous Peoples. Meaningful engagement and collaboration with Indigenous partners were emphasized as crucial for ensuring that the research process and outcomes align with Indigenous priorities, values, and ways of knowing, especially when researchers come from non-Indigenous backgrounds. Positionality —where the researcher situates themselves in relation to the research and the community—was an important consideration. Acknowledging the colonial history and ongoing legacies of oppression that Indigenous peoples have faced, IARIMOS highlighted the importance of researchers adopting a decolonial mindset and approach, one that empowers Indigenous self-determination and self-governance in the research process.
Collective knowledge sharing
One of the critical goals of the conference is to provide a space for community building and networking among participants. As research that centres Indigenous Knowledge is relatively new to most Western universities, scholars, especially Indigenous scholars, often struggle to find support and mentorship from established Indigenous researchers in their respective field.
IARIMOS aimed to bridge that gap by creating a space that would allow for these connections to flourish through discussions and collaborations. Scholars were given the opportunity to share their research and challenges they faced, and hear culturally relevant feedback from Elders, mentors, and peers. The representation of community voices and the voices of Elders is fundamental to do research “in a good way.” Providing the space for emerging scholars to be seen and treated as equal in academia is essential for fostering a more inclusive and equitable research environment.
Over 27 presentations were heard throughout the three-day conference. One of the most striking aspects of the conference this year was the diversity of research methods and processes utilized by emerging scholars. Moreover, the international nature of the conference facilitated a global exchange of knowledge. By bringing together researchers from various countries and Indigenous communities, participants were able to learn from different perspectives and experiences. Nonetheless, decolonizing traditional methods of research was a key factor, whether working with Māori families in New Zealand, Aboriginal communities in Australia, or Indigenous communities in Brazil. This cross-cultural dialogue helped to broaden participants’ understanding of management research and the importance of centring Indigenous voices in research.
Creating a space for relationship-building
The IARIMOS conference has left a deep impression, reminding us of the richness and diversity of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and their profound relevance to addressing contemporary challenges. The discussions emphasized the need to move beyond extractive research models and towards collaborative, ethical, and reciprocal engagement with Indigenous communities.
After the successful completion of the first IARIMOS, participants strongly felt the need for a platform to share their Indigenous research and empirical insights in the field of management and organizations. The second IARIMOS reflected this sentiment, providing a space where both Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers could come together to enrich knowledge with Indigenous wisdom. This gathering aimed to create pathways to embed Indigenous Knowledge and methodologies, which had been overlooked for many years but are now recognized as important and valuable by academics and researchers worldwide. It is these kinds of efforts and initiatives that will help create a more holistic, inclusive, and sustainable future for all to move towards a remedy to the detrimental consequences of colonial research.
In reflecting on our experiences at the IARIMOS conference, we have come away with a deeper appreciation of the impacts of colonization and the richness and resilience of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. We learned that true collaborative research with Indigenous communities is not just about gaining insights but about building relationships grounded in respect, reciprocity, and trust. The conference emphasized the importance of honouring Indigenous ways of knowing, and it showed us how to bring these perspectives into our own work, whether in climate research, community development, or management studies.
This article was co-written by Iliana Loupessis, Shamim Ahmed and Noora Kassab.
Iliana Loupessis (she/her) is a PhD student and research assistant at the University of Ottawa. She is affiliated with ECoHLab, a research lab located in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa. Her research interests focus on sustainable digital transformation, the intersection of climate change adaptation, and the impact of digital tools on building Indigenous community resilience. She explores how Indigenous Knowledge can be weaved with the digital transition and how that can reshape and decolonize digital innovation practices. Iliana is the main researcher on the National Indigenous Climate Compass (NICC), a collaborative project with Wiikwemkoong First Nation, and she is exploring how the NICC and such tools can be developed and implemented in ways that respect Indigenous traditions and ensure communities are directly benefiting from these collaborations.
Shamim Ahmed is a PhD student specializing in Strategy and Organizations at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa. With a strong background in business studies and extensive teaching experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his research in strategic management. Shamim is passionate about developing a research agenda that intersects strategic management, sustainability, degrowth, and the pressing challenges of poverty and inequality. His current research centers on exploring innovative strategies for poverty alleviation and reducing inequality.
Noora Kassab is a graduate student and research assistant at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa. With a Bachelor of Science from Trent University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Telfer, she combines a strong academic foundation with practical experience gained through her previously held roles. Writing from the perspective of a graduate student deeply engaged in research, Noora offers a unique, multidisciplinary viewpoint on pressing issues in her field.