Decolonising Research Practices in Education: Kincentric and Relational Methodologies

This Element explores kincentric and relational methodologies for decolonising educational research. While Indigenous methodologies emphasise decoloniality, relational accountability, and kinship, mainstream research often neglects these principles. Addressing this gap, it introduces Dùthchas ‒ an Indigenous Gaelic concept of kinship, interconnectedness, and ethical responsibility ‒ as a kincentric, relational methodology. Drawing on research with Anishinaabe and Gaelic community members and broader Indigenous scholarship, the Element interrogates dominant paradigms and reframes data collection, analysis, and dissemination as knowledge gathering, generation, and sharing. It advocates participatory, community-led design and Indigenous-informed analytic approaches, such as Anishinaabe Bizindam (deep listening) and Càirdeas (Gaelic kinship), grounded in researcher positionality and reflexivity. Practical guidance is provided for implementing kincentric and relational methodologies, while respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and cultural protocols. By bridging Indigenous and non-Indigenous traditions, it offers theoretical insights and a framework for decolonising research practices.