(Episode 3) The Grassroots storytelling for pluarlity of voices in academia

Published on 13 October 2025 - Created by LUALA Beats Podcast team

How can we create more space for marginalised voices in academia?

In this podcast, academics share their insights on how colonial legacies created asymmetries in academia and what kind of solutions are there to counter this issue. In this episode we hear about the history of these structures in academia, what it means to live in a (post-)colonial reality, and how we can counter the ingrained injustices that are still present in research. We also take a look at these issues to see what is possible beyond academia through engangament with civil society and local communities. in one of the projects of Voice4Thought, VozPa’Colombia. Also, how can researchers inspire students to realise their position and hierarchicstructures while conducting research? We often claim that withresearch we want to give a voice to those who do not have the means to tell their story. But have we asked the question: do every group want their story to be told? And if they do, does that story coincide with our research interest? While academic institutions on paper have made efforts to decolonise themselves, we argue that colonial realities are still alive in the academic system and researchers and students alike have to recognise and actively counter these ingrained asymmetries.

Speakers:

Catharina Wilson – Radboud University, VozPa’Colombia – Voice4Thought
Jonathan Echeverri Zuluaga - Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
Jasmijn Peeters – VozPa’Colombia – Voice4Thought
Jasper Krijns – student participant, Leiden University
Soledad Valdivia – moderator, Leiden University