Cara Westerberg Mattu - Faculty of Science and Engineering

Name – Cara Westerberg Mattu
Position – 3^rd year PhD researcher, Department of Geography and Planning
Group Name – Human Geography
Joined University of Liverpool – 2016
Born – London, UK
Prior degrees –
- BA Geography: University of Liverpool
- MA Contemporary Human Geography: University of Liverpool
- MSc International Development: Governance, Politics and Development Policy, University of Manchester

Cara giving a talk to members of a Maya community in southern Belize

What is your research about?

My research focuses on exploring and deepening our understanding of how Indigenous epistemologies contribute to decolonial and pluriversal discussions surrounding wellbeing, autonomy, governance systems and what it means to live well. The concept of the pluriverse, rooted in post-development theory, envisions a world where multiple worlds can coexist – embracing diverse ways of knowing, being, and organising society. I explore this within the context of Maya communities in southern Belize, where I have been fortunate to work with a Maya-led autonomous grassroots moment, who have been organising themselves and communities for decades in response to state-imposed methods of control. These measures have manifested through the restriction of traditional land use, the appropriation and land-grabbing of ancestral lands, and other forms of marginalisation and subjugation that happen due to the purposes of capitalist extraction. Despite these challenges, the Maya people have shown remarkable resilience, continuously fostering their traditional culture, ways of life, and worldview, ensuring state tactics do not erode them.

What or who first inspired you to be interested in your research subject?

Looking back, my drive for positive social change feels deeply rooted in my character and family history. My Danish grandparents played a significant role in shaping this ethos. While working with the Danish International Development Agency and ActionAid Denmark, they worked on humanitarian efforts across Africa, serving as teachers and teaching crafts like sewing.

At university, I became increasingly motivated to contribute to solidarity efforts and social causes. I volunteered at homelessness charities and worked with disadvantaged children in educational contexts, hoping to make positive contributions and meaningful impact. Academically, I can pinpoint the moment I was inspired to work with post-, de-, and anti-colonial contexts. It was during an undergraduate lecture by my current supervisor, Professor Levi Gahman, on post-colonialism – a subject I regretfully had not deeply considered until my second or third year. I found that British secondary school curriculum tended to turn a blind eye to colonialism. Levi’s module was transformative, opening my eyes to viewing the world through a post- and de-colonial lens.

I have since been inspired by my other supervisors and academic colleagues, Dr Shelda-Jane Smith, Dr Darren Reid and Dr Arshad Isakjee, and Dr Filiberto Penados. Additionally, my continued inspiration to delve deeper into the research with Maya communities has been driven by my engagement with community organisers at the Julian Cho Society, the Maya Leaders Alliance, and Toledo Alcaldes Association – without whom I would not have been able to carry out the research.

What are you most proud of achieving during your research career so far?

One of my biggest achievements has been completing the fieldwork for my PhD. It was an incredible experience – challenging and transformative. Completing this phase felt like a significant milestone, it required me to overcome numerous personal barriers while gaining invaluable insights into conducting field research. The nature of my research and the methods I employ are inherently complex and dynamic. Collaborating with social movements and Indigenous groups involves constant adaptation, which can make the process feel messy at times. However, these challenges have been essential to my growth as a researcher, teaching me resilience, flexibility, and the importance of navigating uncertainty with intention and care.

What techniques and equipment do you use to conduct your research?

I have adopted an overall ethnographic, community-led participatory approach to my research, and this has included a variety of different creative methods alongside more conventional qualitative methods. The creative methods I have used are photovoice and arts-based envisioning, which involves participants using photography and art to express their perspectives, experiences and aspirations. These methods are employed in participant contexts through engaged participatory environments, usually part of one-day working sessions. In addition, I have used focus groups as avenues to collective discussions and participant observation to build my knowledge about the context, as well as autoethnography, a self-reflexive technique that allowed me to interrogate my position in the research deeply. I relied on various equipment for these methods, including cameras, audio recorders, and basic art supplies. I used NVivo software to organise and analyse all of the data.

Which other subjects are important for your research?

Research grounded in decolonial and postcolonial theory, as well as the exploration of pluriversality, is inherently interdisciplinary and intersectional. It often spans various topics, including climate action, gender equality, and broader social and environmental justice issues.

What impact does your research have outside of academia?

My research has various impacts outside of academia. The research process has meant that participants have built new skills, particularly around photography and public speaking or presenting. I hope that the research outcome can contribute to information that can be used to build upon policy regarding land rights issues and the social impacts of clashing governance systems.

What problem would you like to solve in the next 10 years through your research?

I aspire to continue supporting the Maya struggle while expanding my research to include other Indigenous and marginalised communities worldwide. I aim to become more actively involved in advocating for policy changes that address systemic inequalities and create pathways for marginalised groups to experience greater equity and inclusion. At the same time, I am committed to ensuring that this process prioritises decentring Western ways of knowing, making room for diverse epistemologies, ontologies and perspectives to take centre stage and be genuinely valued in shaping solutions and futures.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in research?

When considering a research career, it’s often the case that someone is already deeply passionate about their chosen topic. Whilst this passion is essential and provides the foundations for a research career, it is not enough to sustain a research career. My advice would be to strengthen personal characteristics such as resilience, curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to handle uncertainty and setbacks. At the same time, research careers allow flexibility and often the ability to travel to different places and become part of a global network of researchers.

Where can readers learn more about your research?

Readers can learn more about the Maya struggle by exploring the following pages, which include podcast episodes by Maya scholars and social movement organisers, the Maya Leaders Alliance Facebook page, and The Future We Dream which is a document outlining the strengths, threats, and dreams of Maya people:

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