“Decolonizing Energy: The Past, Present, and Future of Energy Justice” generated critical insights into decolonizing energy by convening a series of urgent public discussions with leading scholars, artists, and writers in the emerging field of decolonial energy studies. The symposium created space to develop a new energy dialogue oriented toward and located in the Global South, which foregrounds energetic liberation. By revisiting the decolonial project through the perspective of energy, this symposium addressed the colonial legacies of the energy systems we live in and with, while also considering historical and contemporary visions of “taking back power” and energy justice.
Decolonizing Energy: A Live Podcast Discussion Moderated by Trish Kahle, this session featured Elizabeth DeLoughrey, Jennifer Wenzel, Gökçe Günel, and Hannah Appel
Thinking Energy from the Ground Up: Methodologies from Critical Social Research
This session explores how to research and practice energy justice through grounded, inclusive, and innovative methodologies. Featuring Ala’a Shehabi, Muzna Al-Masri, and Dana Abi-Ghanem, with an introduction by Nala Mouqbil, the discussion presents case studies from Lebanon, Tunisia, and Bahrain that reimagine energy as a social relation. Through collective ethnography, citizen assemblies, and participatory research, the panel highlights plural understandings of energy, justice, and alternative futures.
Keynote | Residues and Residuals featuring Maker Pascale Marthine Tayou in conversation with Bahaaeldin Abudaya
Art Program
Landscapes in Motion Art Tour
Curated exhibit exploring the cultural, political, and ecological legacies of extraction.
Artists:
Pascale Marthine Tayou
Sophia Al-Maria
Natascha de Vasconcellos Otoya
Selected Artworks from the ARAK Collection
Museum of Carbon Ruins with Graeme Macdonald
Conference Soundbites
Opening
Live Podcast Discussion
Residues and Residuals: Maker Pascale Marthine Tayou in conversation with Bahaaeldin Abudaya
Narrating African Energies: Novelist Imbolo Mbue in conversation with Kamila Shamsie
Closing
News
Five Lessons on Pursuing Energy Justice From “Decolonizing Energy”
At Georgetown University in Qatar’s eleventh Hiwaraat conference, Decolonizing Energy: The Past, Present, and Future of Energy Justice, scholars and creatives offered key insights into the future of energy justice. Here are five takeaways from the timely symposium.
Taking Back Power: Georgetown in Qatar To Host Energy Justice Conference
In order to confront global inequities and pave the way for a clean energy future, GU-Q will host a symposium on “Decolonizing Energy: The Past, Present, and Future of Energy Justice,” on October 4, 2025 at its Education City campus.
Conference Organizers
Victoria Googasian
Assistant Professor, American Literature; co-lead, Energy Humanities research initiative
Trish Kahle
Assistant Professor, History; co-lead, Energy Humanities research initiative
Firat Oruc
Associate Professor, Culture and Politics; co-lead, Energy Humanities research initiative
Nicole Rizzuto
Associate Professor of English, Georgetown University
Georgetown University’s long-standing Speech and Expression policy has guided our approach to speech while maintaining the fundamental right of members of our community to free expression, dialogue and academic inquiry. An appearance of any speaker or guest on campus is not an endorsement by Georgetown University.