Partnering with Postgraduate Scholars
In the hallowed halls of Princeton University, a surprising concentration has caught my interest – Geosciences. But this journey didn't start with rocks and fossils; it began with a deep dive into Indigenous Studies.
Princeton, known for its strong focus on undergraduate teaching and research, offers a vibrant community of scholars engaged in Indigenous Studies. One such group is the Princeton American Indian and Indigenous Studies Working Group (PAIISWG), a hub connecting students, faculty, and Indigenous community members.
As a writer, I've had the privilege of being kept in the loop about Indigenous Studies events around campus by the PAIISWG. They've also directed me towards valuable tools and sources for my research. Recently, I've been working with them on building a listserv for sharing findings, publicizing events, and receiving feedback on our work.
One of the key figures I've interacted with is Geosciences Professor Frederik Simons. His research on the geology of the Amazon basin, which includes collaboration with Indigenous communities, has been a fascinating insight into how Indigenous Studies can intersect with other disciplines.
Despite the segregation often seen between undergraduate and graduate student populations at Princeton, the PAIISWG has successfully created structured spaces where students can engage in research collaborations on Indigenous topics. For instance, they've facilitated community-engaged internships focused on Indigenous language activism, such as the Derian Summer 2025 Internship, where students partnered with Lunaape (Lenape) communities on projects including land-based language work, archival research, and cultural collaborations involving Indigenous language revitalization.
This spring, the PAIISWG is organizing a conference with contemporary Indigenous Studies scholars from across North America. I eagerly look forward to attending and learning more about the latest research in this field.
In the midst of this academic adventure, I've found that my concentration in Geosciences has not only provided a solid foundation for my Indigenous Studies research but has also opened up a world of opportunities I never imagined. So, if you're a student considering your concentration, don't be afraid to think outside the box – you never know where it might lead you.
[1] Princeton University. (n.d.). Princeton American Indian and Indigenous Studies Working Group (PAIISWG). Retrieved from https://paiiswg.princeton.edu/
[2] Princeton University. (n.d.). Derian Summer 2025 Internship. Retrieved from https://paiiswg.princeton.edu/derian-internship/
This article is part of the "Junior Paper (JP)" section. For more articles, visit our website.
- Engaging in the Princeton American Indian and Indigenous Studies Working Group (PAIISWG) has not only improved my research skills, but it has also provided me with opportunities for independent work and personal growth in learning about Indigenous Studies and its intersection with other disciplines.
- The PAIISWG's organization of structured spaces for research collaborations has allowed me to hone my education-and-self-development skills, as I've been able to work on community-engaged projects in Indigenous language activism through the Derian Summer 2025 Internship.
- My job as a writer, focusing on Indigenous Studies events, has been instrumental in honing my research skills, and the Junior Paper section of our website serves as a platform for sharing these experiences and learning more about the field.
