Santa Cruz, May 21— The University of California, Santa Cruz, has unveiled a new academic initiative aimed at reshaping global understandings of Sikhism through digital storytelling and inclusive research. Titled Sikhs in the 21st Century: Remembering the Past, Engaging the Future, the project is led by Nirvikar Singh, an Indian-origin professor and noted scholar in Sikh studies.
Housed at the university’s Humanities Institute, the initiative uses multimedia content to explore the evolution of Sikh institutions, the effects of colonialism, and the layered identity of the global Sikh diaspora.
“Many existing accounts lack depth or are shaped by colonial-era interpretations,” said Singh, who previously held the Sarbjit Singh Aurora Chair of Sikh and Punjabi Studies. “We’re reexamining inherited assumptions and opening space for deeper, evidence-based engagement.”
The project, supported by UC Santa Cruz’s Teaching and Learning Centre, also aims to amplify underrepresented voices, particularly emerging scholars from Punjab and marginalised segments of the Sikh diaspora who have historically been excluded from Western academic frameworks.
Content created under the initiative features archival visuals, annotated maps, and curated historical sources, tailored to engage younger audiences — especially Sikh youth in India and abroad who are navigating identity in a globalised world.
US-based Sikh scholar and author Simran Jeet Singh praised the initiative for combining scholarly depth with cultural sensitivity. “The goal is not just to correct the historical record,” he said, “but to help scholars and communities see old things in new ways while honouring the richness of Sikh heritage.”
