POLIS’ Kelly Bannister is part of the new five-year SSHRC Insight grant “Re-Positioning Indigenous Interests in Intellectual Property, Knowledge Governance and Access to the Benefits of Innovation,” which is co-led by Chidi Oguamanam (Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa) and Sarah Morales (Faculty of Law, University of Victoria).
Dr. Kelly Bannister and Dr. Chidi Oguamanam in Ottawa, Ontario.
The project includes Jeremy de Beer (Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa) and trademark lawyer Meika Ellis, as well as the collaborating organizations Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council, ABS Canada, and Open African Innovation Research (Open Air). The team is confronting how Indigenous Peoples around the world face growing risks of being sidelined in the governance of their own intellectual and cultural heritage as technology transforms how knowledge is produced, shared, and monetized. A key project focus will be on relevant national developments in Canada regarding Indigenous intellectual property, ethics, and knowledge governance. Kelly’s expertise in biocultural ethics will complement the diverse legal perspectives and expertise on the team.
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University of Ottawa News Release (Oct 9, 2025)
