Islam & Atheism: Irreconcilable Enemies?
Modern Britain is a plural society. Around one in twenty of us – and one in eight Londoners – identifies as a Muslim, including some who have converted to Islam. At the same time, around half the population no longer identifies with any religion, and over one in five has a broadly humanist worldview (whether […]
When Annie Met Gandhi – Ingenious Purpose
Astonishingly in 1917 the newly elected President of the Indian National Congress was a white elderly English woman. The fiercely free-thinking Annie Besant and Gandhi admired each other hugely, but they disagreed about how to achieve Independence for India. In this short play Annie is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her fellow trailblazer… Presented by […]
Four Conversations: Four Anniversaries – Dr Subir Sinha
South Asia, Canada, Russia, Finland. A snapshot of four very different areas of the world – each with a significant anniversary this year. Four specialists discuss a burning issue. Framed, introduced and Chaired by Dr Subir Sinha (SOAS) with thoughts of South Asia – Gandhi’s truth and the new post-truth era. Q&A follows. FREE – […]
Independent Employment? Business Pioneers Workshop – Birkbeck, University of London
Questions related to independence in the broad context of employment and entrepreneurship are amongst some of the most pertinent faced by individuals, families, academics, business leaders and policy makers today. As more research in this area is conducted, more debates held, and more reports published, it can seem as though visions for the future can […]
Why is my Curriculum Colonial? Decoloniality as Education – Simmi Dullay, Oana Parvan, Gitanjali Pyndiah & Nydia Swaby
Black Consciousness feminist cultural producer Simmi Dullay, PhD researchers Oana Pârvan (Goldsmiths) and Gitanjali Pyndiah (Goldsmiths) with Nydia Swaby (SOAS) bring their art praxis and research to discuss the commonality and differences in knowledge production of the global South, decolonization and the presence of the colonial knowledge systems inherited as residues of 500 years of […]
Viewing Post-Independent India from the Outside – Dr Sanjukta Ghosh, Rani Singh, Gary Raymond and Janine Shroff
In this India-UK year of culture, how is changing India reflected in journalism, arts and performance based collaborative projects? Chair: Dr Sanjukta Ghosh (SOAS South Asia Institute) in discussion with Rani Singh (BBC and Asian Voice), Gary Raymond (Novelist, Poet and Editor of Wales Arts Review) and Janine Shroff (Designer and Illustrator). FREE – but […]
Modern Slavery in the UK – Kathryn Cronin
Barristers Kathryn Cronin and Louise Hooper of Garden Court Chambers discuss slavery in Britain today. Who are the victims, where do they come from, how are they recognised and what are we doing about it? FREE – but pre-booking is recommended
Four Conversations: A United Kingdom? – Scotres
The relationships between the constituent parts of the United Kingdom has arguably never been more divided, nor have demands for various forms of independence been more vocal. This in-the-round event brings together four speakers to ask each other how they perceive the United (or Disunited) Kingdom. Each speaker will have an association with either England, […]
Thinking on Sunday: Gandhi and Non-violence – Dr Shahrar Ali
Using Gandhi’s teachings as inspiration, what is the meaning of nonviolence as a form of political action and how does it work? Dr Shahrar Ali characterises and assesses what is as much of a legitimate question of our times as it was in his day. He will also explore the question of whether violence can coexist with […]