The foundation of archival methodology is infl uenced by colonialism and imperialism. This paternalistic system has created a hegemonic environment that has directly infl uenced archivists working with Indigenous materials. While positive steps have been made, such as the enactment of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) and the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials (2006), severe limitations exist due to a difference in worldview and cultural beliefs. In order to reverse the effects of hegemony and decolonize archival methodology, an exerted effort must be made to increase collaboration between archives and Indigenous communities. Furthermore, higher education must attract Indigenous students to information science programs in order to create a more diverse workforce. However, in order to enact lasting change in methodology, the archival profession must receive an injection of activist principles. These principles will help advance decolonizing initiatives and ensure the end of paternalism and colonialism in archival science.

This thesis utilizes ethnographic and historical data in order to propose that the trajectory of outer space imaginaries—and therefore, as will be demonstrated, the future realities of outer space affairs—has drifted from peaceful exploration to violent exploitation due to the rise of private space corporations (operating under the moniker of NewSpace). This is partially due to the increasing acceptance of neoliberal capitalism within the United States—and much of the Global North—since the 1970s. Furthermore, NewSpace companies —which now possess multi-billion dollar contracts with governmental space agencies—are zealous adopters of neoliberal economics, and these philosophies are tied to colonial conceptions of the individual, limited governance, unchecked resource extraction, and frontier mentalities. These concepts became apparent during my multi-sited ethnographic investigations of NewSpace—as well as governmental—facilities and museums. This thesis argues that these hegemonic economic ontologies must be met with resistance from social scientists, science fiction authors, and the public in order to create a human future in outer space that is equitable, decolonized, and democratic.

The foundation of archival methodology is infl uenced by colonialism and imperialism. This paternalistic system has created a hegemonic environment that has directly infl uenced archivists working with Indigenous materials. While positive steps have been made, such as the enactment of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) and the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials (2006), severe limitations exist due to a difference in worldview and cultural beliefs. In order to reverse the effects of hegemony and decolonize archival methodology, an exerted effort must be made to increase collaboration between archives and Indigenous communities. Furthermore, higher education must attract Indigenous students to information science programs in order to create a more diverse workforce. However, in order to enact lasting change in methodology, the archival profession must receive an injection of activist principles. These principles will help advance decolonizing initiatives and ensure the end of paternalism and colonialism in archival science.

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The rate and degree of success among the Arab Spring revolutions has varied. While the reasons for this variation is undeniably complicated, one behavior that continues to have a significant effect on the dynamics of these social movements is the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. This paper explores the role that these communication tools played in the 2011 Egyptian revolution where the revolution succeeded in overthrowing the Mubarek regime. Compiled from local social media reports, the data has been analyzed and displays a direct correlation between the use of social media and the organization of mass protest. Furthermore, the dissemination of the local’s emotional responses via social media sites allowed for a stronger personal association from the global community. There is enough evidence to show that social media directly assisted with the organization of protests and demonstrations that helped force leaders to either step down or start reforms. Furthermore, social media spread news about these revolutions across the world, educating and humanizing the activists, which in turn helped secure international support for their cause.