Rebecca Slatcher

Rebecca Slatcher is a PhD researcher and Tutor at the University of Hull, conducting a collaborative project with the British Library focused on North American Indigenous language collections post-1850. Her work employs decolonial methodologies to interrogate colonial legacies in archival classification systems and uncover Indigenous presence within heritage institution collections.

Her educational background includes:

• BA in History and Philosophy (International) from the University of Leeds
• MA in Social and Cultural History from the University of Leeds

Slatcher's research critically examines the intersection of Indigenous language preservation, archival power structures, and colonial knowledge systems. She investigates how institutions like the British Library have historically collected and categorized Indigenous materials, advocating for transformative approaches that center Indigenous epistemologies and challenge Eurocentric cataloguing frameworks across library science and historical disciplines.

Her publications analyze Cherokee language printing history and deconstruct problematic catalogue classifications, revealing consistent scholarly focus on decolonizing archival practices and amplifying Indigenous voices in heritage discourse.

Scientific recognition includes:

• BAAS Postgraduate Travel Award supporting research mobility
• AHRC International Placement Scheme enabling work at the Smithsonian's National Anthropological Archives

As PGR Tutor for 'First Superpowers', Slatcher integrates her doctoral research with teaching practice while leveraging grant-funded opportunities for cross-institutional collaboration and primary source analysis at major archival repositories.