Research
Carleton's research focuses on the history of settler capitalism and schooling in Canada, with a particular emphasis on the development of the residential school system. His writing also addresses the rise of residential school denialism and its implications for reconciliation in Canada. He discusses the role of public schools in supporting settler colonialism and offers insights into the history of Indian Day Schools. Other themes of his writing include Indigenous resistance, historical perspectives on colonial strategies, and reflections on significant events in Canadian history.
His publications include the book Lessons in Legitimacy: Colonialism, Capitalism, and the Rise of State Schooling in British Columbia, published in 2022. He has also written about comics and their relation to critical consciousness and colonialism.
In 2026, he edited Truth Before Reconciliation: Confronting Residential School Denialism alongside University of Manitoba colleague Niigaan Sinclair.
Carleton has written review articles that discuss graphic publications and their impact on understanding violence and racism in Canadian history. He has also published various book reviews on works related to Indigenous education and reconciliation.
