Sarah Shulist

Sarah Shulist is an Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Queen's University, affiliated with the Linguistics LLCU program within the Faculty of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on linguistic anthropology, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous language revitalization in multilingual and urban contexts, and the intersection of language policy with Indigenous-state relations.

She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario (2013), an M.A. in Globalization Studies from McMaster University (2009), an M.Sc. in Linguistics from the University of Alberta (2004), and a B.A. in Linguistics and Comparative Literature from McMaster University (2002).

Her research explores how language revitalization efforts shape Indigenous identities and political dynamics, particularly in Brazil and Canada. She employs collaborative ethnographic methods to support community-driven initiatives and critically examines the role of schooling and policy in these processes. Key themes include urbanization's impact on Indigenous language use, the politics of naming practices, and the tensions between authenticity discourses and multilingual realities.

Her publications trace interdisciplinary approaches to language documentation and revitalization, emphasizing the need for ethnographic engagement in policy-making. Notable works include Transforming Indigeneity: Urbanization and Language Revitalization in the Brazilian Amazon (2018) and articles on language policy, colonial legacies, and Indigenous educational frameworks.

Her teaching spans courses on language and power, sociocultural anthropology, and practical language revitalization strategies. She actively collaborates with Indigenous communities to bridge theoretical and applied aspects of linguistic anthropology.