Video summary
Karen River Barad is widely recognized for her groundbreaking theory of agential realism, which fundamentally challenges Western metaphysical assumptions regarding the nature of reality, knowledge production, and ethical justice. Her philosophy, while inspired by quantum physics, does not rely on it as a foundation but rather uses it to rethink how entities come into being. A central tenet of her work is the concept of "intraaction," which posits that objects do not exist independently before they interact; instead, entities emerge through and within their relations, meaning they never pre-exist their relationality. This perspective shifts the focus from individualism to a framework where interaction is understood as a process of mutual becoming rather than the collision of separate, pre-existing things.
Barad's theoretical contributions have successfully bridged the gap between complex scientific fields like quantum physics and diverse disciplines such as art, literature, education, and ethics. By inviting physicists to engage with other fields of thought, her work encourages a deeper understanding of how science relates to the world, including critical questions about justice and morality. Her approach has opened doors for new audiences who might otherwise find quantum physics inaccessible, fostering a dialogue that enriches both scientific inquiry and humanistic exploration. This transdisciplinary method allows researchers and students to explore the underpinnings and responsibilities of their work with greater care and curiosity, leading to more creative and profound investigations into the nature of reality.
The connection between Barad and Ozyegin University dates back to 2016, when she was invited to speak in the Futures Lecture Series, marking the beginning of a significant intellectual partnership. During her recent sabbatical, she participated in the Institute for Advanced Studies, where she engaged with scholars from various global fields, further solidifying her reputation as an extraordinary thinker who moves research conversations forward with depth and creativity. Her gentle realism has served as a vital inspiration for the School of Education since the early 2000s, influencing both researchers and students to remain deeply invested in ethical and just practices within their academic and professional lives.
The university expresses great joy at Barad's acceptance of an honorary doctorate, recognizing her pathbreaking theorizing as a force that may profoundly reshape research practices worldwide. Her work continues to inspire a community committed to exploring the complexities of reality through a lens that values relationality and responsibility. By honoring her contributions, the institution acknowledges not only her intellectual achievements but also her enduring impact on fostering a culture of inquiry that is both scientifically rigorous and ethically grounded. This celebration highlights how her ideas have permeated educational spaces, encouraging a generation of scholars to think critically about the interconnectedness of all things.
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I'm best known for my theory of agential
realism. Agential realism challenges
western metaphysical assumptions about
the nature of reality, knowledge
production, and questions [music] of
ethics and justice. Esential realism is
a philosophy inspired by but not rooted
in quantum physics.
One core enlightenment assumption common
to many fields of thought is that of
individualism. The notion that the world
is [music] composed of individual
objects.
While interaction presumes the prior
existence of independent entities that
affect each other. I introduced the
notion of intraaction
which speaks to the fact that entities
emerge in and through their relations.
in particular, they do not pre-exist
their relationality.
My work has not only opened the door to
the world of quantum physics for many
new audiences such as artists, writers,
educators, [music] and theorists in many
fields. It also invites physicists to
see the importance [music] in thinking
with other fields of thought in order to
better understand the physics and its
relationship to the world, including but
not limited to questions of ethics and
justice and science.
My relationship with Orohos University
goes back to 2016 when I was invited to
give a talk in the futures lecture
series. [music]
Last year during my sabbatical I was a
part of the institute for advanced
studies. It was a wonderful place to be
in conversation with scholars from a
range of different fields around the
world.
Karen River Barat's pathbreaking
transdisciplinary theorizing may
profoundly reshape our research
practices and keep us invested in
questions of ethics and justice. Barat's
[music] a gentle realism has been an
important inspiration here at the school
of education since the early 2000s both
for researchers and students.
I know Barat as an extraordinary thinker
[music] in research conversations. They
move with care and curiosity into deep
and creative explorations of research,
its underpinnings and responsibilities.
Therefore, it's a great joy that Karen
River Bardat has accepted the honorary
doctorate.