Leadership
Dr. Paulina Johnson
Dr. Paulina Johnson guides Blue Sky Research Lab through a relational, community-grounded approach to research shaped by accountability, Ceremony, and Indigenous futures.
Biography
Hi, I am Dr. Paulina Johnson, Sipihkokisikowiskwêw, Blue Sky Woman, and Nêhiyaw, Four-Spirit or Plains Cree. I am a citizen of Nipisihkopahk, Samson Cree Nation, in Maskwacis, AB.
I am the daughter of Paul and Luci Johnson and the granddaughter of Chris Johnson, Ginger Wildcat, the late Fred Hodgson, and the late Grace Swampy. My work is grounded in family, community, and the responsibilities that come with carrying research in a good way.
I completed my B.A. in Anthropology and History with Distinction at the University of Alberta, my M.A. in History at Western University, and my Ph.D. in Anthropology. My work continues to braid Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems together through research, teaching, and community-grounded collaboration.
Research Leadership
Dr. Johnson leads Blue Sky Research Lab with a commitment to research that is relational, ethical, and useful to the people and communities it touches. Her leadership centers Indigenous Knowledge, community accountability, and the understanding that research must remain responsive to place and relationship.
Within the lab, this leadership shapes not only what projects are pursued, but how they are carried, how knowledge is shared, and how students, collaborators, and communities are supported throughout the work.
Areas of Work
- Community-engaged and relational research
- Indigenous Knowledge and Knowledge-sharing
- Land-based and ceremony-informed research practice
- Storywork, narrative, and public-facing education
- Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge systems
Public Work and Contact
Explore Blue Sky Research Lab’s projects and public-facing resources, or get in touch about research, collaboration, public speaking, or general inquiries.