معرفی
Karly Kehoe is Professor of History and Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities at Saint Mary's University. Her scholarship examines settler colonialism and religious minority agency in the Atlantic world (c. 1750-1850), with pioneering work on Catholic colonialism in the Caribbean and its connections to Atlantic Canada. She leads the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies and co-edits the 'Histories of the Scottish Atlantic' book series.
Her research centers on Scottish and Irish Catholic migrants' acquisition of colonial privilege, challenging narratives of Catholic marginalization. Key themes include transatlantic religious networks, settler identity formation, and the transfer of colonial practices between the Caribbean and North America. Her work increasingly bridges historical scholarship with contemporary refugee integration and science diplomacy through initiatives supporting displaced academics.
Recent publications reveal consistent focus on Catholic agency within British imperial structures, particularly Highland Scottish and Irish diaspora communities. A significant trend examines how religious minorities navigated colonial hierarchies while establishing settler communities, with growing emphasis on historical legacies in modern migration contexts through her leadership in at-risk academic support programs.
Her scholarly impact is recognized by:
- Peter M. Toner Research Publication Award (2022)
- King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025)
- International Science Council Fellowship (2023)
- Bozenna Pasik-Duncan Humanitarian Mentorship Award (2023)
- Royal Society of Canada College membership (2017-2025)
She directs major research initiatives including SSHRC-funded projects on Scottish-Cape Breton Island connections and equitable research opportunities for displaced scholars. As founder of the At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) program, she has created vital support systems for scholars facing conflict, complementing her co-founding of global at-risk scholar initiatives with the Young Academy of Scotland and Global Young Academy.
She chairs the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies while serving on international committees including UNESCO-TWAS's Science in Exile steering committee and the InterAcademy Partnership's Policy Advice Development Committee, advancing science diplomacy through historical frameworks.
