Kevin Lujan Lee

Kevin Lujan Lee is a Killam Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on Indigenous decolonization in Oceania, Pacific Islander social movements in the U.S., and Indigenous Oceanic political thought. Trained in urban planning, he combines Indigenous methodologies with quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyze political dynamics in Oceania and Turtle Island.

Education:

• Ph.D., Urban Planning and Politics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2023
• M.A., Social Sciences, University of Chicago, 2017
• B.A., Philosophy and Study of Religion, University of California-Los Angeles, 2015

Research Interests:

1. Indigenous Political Attitudes toward U.S. Empire: Analyzes Chamoru perspectives using the 2021 Guåhan Survey, emphasizing decolonial consciousness and identity.

2. Indigenous Cultural Protocols in Social Movements: Examines how Pacific Islander communities in the U.S. (e.g., Oregon) restructure traditional social movement dynamics through cultural practices.

3. Indigenous Oceanic Thought: Collaborates with scholars like Josh Campbell to explore thinkers such as Epeli Hau’ofa, addressing land mobility and Indigenous nationalisms.

Publications: Recent work includes studies on Indigenous futurisms, decolonial quantitative methods, and transnational Pacific identities. Themes span decolonization, migration policy, and settler colonialism.

Advising & Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Lee collaborates with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective) on community-engaged research projects.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in participatory action research through initiatives like the Guåhan Survey, emphasizing Indigenous-centered methodologies.