Misrepresentation of Marginalized Groups: A Critique of Epistemic Neocolonialism

This interactive seminar builds on the CBDS Annual Lecture and is open to all PhD students and scholars with an interest in critical approaches to management, organization, and development studies.

Professor Rashedur Chowdhury argues that meta-ignorance and meta-insensitivity are key sources influencing the repeated (un)conscious misrepresentation of marginalized groups in management and organization research—perpetuating epistemic neocolonialism.

• Meta-ignorance refers to incorrect epistemic attitudes that render researchers ignorant of contextual history, as well as the emotional and political aspects of social problems. This may become a permanent feature depending on how researchers define, locate, and make use of their epistemic positionality and privilege.
• Meta-insensitivity arises when researchers miss multiple opportunities to capture valuable aspects of marginalized groups’ voices, experiences, and expectations. This is particularly serious during fieldwork, where even innovative researchers may fail to understand how to be genuinely sensitive toward marginalized groups.

The perpetuation of these dynamics contributes to long-lasting negative consequences for marginalized communities. To counter this, Professor Chowdhury introduces the idea of oppositional views, which researchers can mobilize to address misrepresentation and challenge epistemic neocolonialism in academic work.

Programme

• 13:00–13:10 — Welcome and introduction - Jacobo Ramirez, Co-director of CBDS
• 13:10–13:30 — Conceptual provocation: Meta-ignorance, meta-insensitivity, and epistemic neocolonialism - Professor Rashedur Chowdhury
• 13:30–13:50 — Small group reflections on research practices
• 13:50–14:20 — Plenary discussion and dialogue with Professor Chowdhury
• 14:20–15:00 — Closing reflections