Wasiq Silan

Wasiq Silan is a Core Fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies and a Researcher at the Centre for Research on Ethnic Relations and Nationalism (CEREN) at the University of Helsinki. They hold a Doctor of Social Sciences and previously served as a postdoctoral researcher on the SamiCare project (2019–2022). Affiliated with the Indigenous Voices (IVO) research group at the Arctic University of Norway, their work focuses on indigenizing social services, decolonizing methodologies, and Indigenous health systems. Silan’s research spans Taiwan’s Tayal Indigenous communities and Sámi Finland, emphasizing long-term care policies and cultural rights.

Education:

• Master’s in Ethnic Relations, Cultural Diversity, and Integration (University of Helsinki, 2011–2014)
• Bachelor’s in Political Science (National Taiwan University)

Research interests include Indigenous methodologies, decolonization, biodiversity conservation, and social policies. Silan has taught courses on Indigenous knowledge at institutions like MacEwan University and Palacký University, and leads the course Aging and Care in Indigenous Communities (MSV-ME306). They have received grants including the Chancellor’s Travel Grant (2016, 2017) and the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s doctoral funding.

Recent Projects:

• Ărramăt: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Indigenous-Led Conservation ($24M Canadian initiative)
• BIRGEJUPMI: Cross-cultural study on Indigenous care knowledge (EU Horizon Europe)

Awards:

• Chancellor’s Travel Grant (2016, 2017)
• International Student Grant (2014)

Teaching & Grants:

Silan has designed courses on Indigenous social work and aging. Their research engages with Indigenous voices in policy-making and conservation, bridging local and global scales. They actively participates in UNPFII and international conferences, advocating for Indigenous rights and knowledge systems.

Labs/Teams:

• CEREN (University of Helsinki)
• Indigenous Voices (Arctic University of Norway)