Geology linked to ‘white supremacy’ claims Queen Mary, University of London Professor

Dr Kathryn Yusoff, a professor of inhuman geography at Queen Mary, University of London, has argued that geology, the study of the Earth’s rocks and natural resources is linked to “white supremacy”.

In a new book, Professor Yusoff claimed that the field is “riven by systemic racism” and that disciplinary practices such as extraction are tied to colonialism.

Geologic Life, Professor Yusoff’s book, examines how processes of racialisation emerged through geological practices from the 17^th to 19^th centuries.

Applying the concept of “geotrauma,” Professor Yusoff described how practices such as mining and land theft have meant that “geology continues to function within a white supremacist praxis”, and she referred to palaeontology as “pale-ontology” in a further connection to race.

Professor Yusoff also argued that geology emerged as a “colonial practice” and was used as a “colonial tool for land theft and resource plunder.”

Furthermore, she contended that practices of metal and resource extraction created racial hierarchies, damaged environments, and caused climate change.

This is part of recent attempts decolonise university curriculums, which according to Times Higher Education aims to “situate the histories and knowledges that do not originate from the West in the context of imperialism, colonialism and power and to consider why these have been marginalised and de-centred.”

Additionally, it was also noted that “rather than rejecting the decolonisation of curricula as “cancel culture”, [academics should] view the concept as an enlightening and transformative endeavour that enriches education.”

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