Dr. Geoff Bil

Biography

Geoff Bil is an Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria's Department of History, where he focuses on the intersection of history, science, and imperial narratives. He was raised in Surrey, British Columbia, and began his academic journey with pre-med history courses at Kwantlen Polytechnic University before transferring to the University of Victoria to pursue an Honours degree in History. Geoff obtained his MA from McMaster University in 2008 and completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia in 2018. He has held fellowships at prestigious institutions such as Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Sussex, and the Newberry Library. After spending time at the University of Delaware, he joined the University of Victoria in 2025. His scholarly work centers on historical studies related to science and empire, with ongoing projects such as "Indexing Indigenous: Plants, Peoples, Empire," which examines Indigenous plant knowledge within the context of nineteenth-century imperial botany. His research employs a critical lens, drawing from science studies and Indigenous approaches, to explore how these botanical vocabularies have informed colonial fieldwork and cultural preservation. Geoff is also engaged in editing various book projects, including explorations of plant translations and cultural history.

Research Interests