A collection of podcasts from the SOAS Students’ Union’s public talks, lecture series and events. At SOAS our learning is produced not only in our class rooms, but also in the wider variety of talks that are hosted by the Students’ Union.  

These range from our Current Affairs Lecture Series,  our centenary series on Knowledge Production at SOAS, political in-house campaigns such as Democratise SOAS and Justice for Cleaners, and wider campaigns against the implementation of austerity, xenophobic  policies towards migrants and the struggles for liberation for historically marginalised groups. 

The Students Union Lecture Series

Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this @ednamartinezdj . Made a mix with songs that say more than anything I could write really.....Going to play two songs I wrote a while ago, one which I performed live in January 2020 at the Museum of Memory & Human Rights in Santiago and another which was made shortly after, they're both influenced by what was taking place in Chile at the time which mirrors in some ways what we are seeing in Colombia now. As some of you may know, since the end of april in Colombia there have been more than 2,000 cases of police violence against protesters, 33 victims of eye injuries and more than 40 civilians killed by the police. Since the beginning of the year more than 60 rights defenders have been assasinated, and among them 20 were indigenous leaders. Since 2016, over 400 human rights defenders have been killed. In all this darkness, there may be some hope that the protests can create meaningful change. Last Sunday, Chileans elected a new group of citizens who will write a new constitution for the country. This was one of the core demands of the huge protests of 2019/2020.  It will be the first anywhere in the world to be written by an equal number of men and women and it will replace the constitution that has been in place since the years of the military dictatorship.  The only reason this moment of hope is possible in Chile is because of the incredible social movements that rose up to demand change. As I've said elsewhere, the courage and determination of Chilean students, activists, protesters, writers, artists has been astounding and they have/are shifted/shifting the political landscape and will continue to do so. In the past month I've heard stories of Colombian protesters taking cues from Chilean protesters and beautiful solidarity between Colombians and Palestinians also. We have so much to learn from each other. May this solidarity and interconnectedness bring us better days and in the meantime may music sustain us and nourish us. Much love to you all ♡♡♡♡ - May 22nd 2021

Nicolás Jaar - Radio Alhara Sonic Liberation Front curated by Edna Martinez

The Philippine Constabulary Band on Edison Amberol wax cylinder recording during their US tour in 1909.

La Sampaguita PC Band

SPxCEPRINCEsexX sat in for Vandorta this month with a selection of amapaiano, gqom and experiemntal synthesis. In the bag - Shabjdeed, Kelis and THAcKZINDJ.

SPxCEPRINCEsexX - February 2022

his week’s mix comes from Balamii resident, Coop Audio affiliate and Free Range founder Donwella. Informed by her time living in South Africa and London, Donwella’s eclectic sonic palette has been blowing us away each and every month on her regular self-titled show on Balamii.

As well as broadcasting, Donwella selects as part of the Coop Audio collective, a non-profit soundsystem group based between London and Bristol, and also runs Free Range, a monthly party in London featuring some of the best selectors the UK has to offer.

This week, we're starting the week off just right...this mix does it all:

“Ascending and descending through a spectrum genres, from hip-hop, to neosoul, funk, house, broken beat, garage – with jazz as the thread that flows through it all! Topping and tailing with some beautiful South African Jazz, starting at the 70s and ending at the present day.”

Full tracklist here:

https://www.musicamacondo.com/2022/05/macondo-mix-013-donwella/

Macondo Mix 013: Donwella

Galcher Lustwerk - Live @ Nowadays for 420 Bossa Fundraiser

Rinse FM Podcasts

k means - 25 May 2022

k means - 24 August 2022

For her Fact mix k means holds us at a constant simmer, slick with sweat and dense with smog, burbling between unease and release, murk and steam.

https://www.factmag.com/2022/10/17/fact-mix-879-k-means/

Fact Mixes

Fact Mix 879: k means (Oct '22)

On September 26th 2014 SOAS Students’ Union hosted its first public lecture of the year in collaboration with the London Middle East Institute and the Centre for Gender Studies, SOAS. The event featured 3 speakers who all specialise in the Middle East, and addressed the topics of ISIS, and the recent crisis in the Middle East.
CHAIR: Dr Hassan Hakimian, London Middle East Institute, SOAS
SPEAKERS (In order of appearance):
- Ghias Aljundi : ‘ISIS and the Syrian cause’
- Charles Tripp: 'Iraq: the rentier caliphate'
- Nadje Al-Ali: 'Gender, Violence and Minorities'
Recorded and edited by Daniel Avis for SOAS Radio

Beyond Religion - ISIS And The Crisis In The Middle East

SOAS SU Current Affairs Lecture Series

The chaos in Iraq has its roots in the fractured state building project brought about by the occupation of the country. 

Between 2003 and 2011, Iraq was transformed by a foreign occupation that saw state institutions and power divided between a select few political actors. In this exclusive political arrangement, the Iraqi state ceased to function properly as its governing institutions came under the control of Shia, Sunni and Kurdish political elites who divided state resources between themselves. This political arrangement was in part smashed in June 2014 by the fall of Mosul in Northern Iraq to Islamic State, whose movement shook the political establishment and galvanised the support of an already disgruntled and marginalised population.

This event invites former Coalition Provisional Authority officials and experts to discuss the repercussions of the statebuilding project in Iraq.

SPEAKERS

HENRY HOGGER CMG -Former British diplomat who will discuss institution building in Iraq at the time of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).

ANDREW ALDERSON - Director of Economic planning and Development for the Coalition provisional Authority (CPA) South in Basra. Andrew will present on his experiences in Iraq, and is the author of ‘Bankrolling Basra’.

PAUL ATTENBOROUGH - A former member of the CPA (South) - he was tasked with looking after the State Owned Enterprise assets in the four Governorates of Southern Iraq. He will discuss some of the aspects of the post-invasion management of the industrial and manufacturing economy and the impact of an ideology on post-conflict reconstruction.

Dr HUSAIN al CHALABI - Currently working as a Fellow of the Iraq Energy Institute which advises the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. 
Dr Husain will dwell on his experiences in Iraq during the past few years and provide a much needed update on the relationship between the state system and the oil sector in Iraq.

MEHAIR KATHEM - At present Mehair is studying for a PhD at SOAS. His research explores externally led civil society development and the formation of Iraq’s domestic non-governmental sector from 2003.

Experiences from Iraq: What Really Went Wrong

Beyond the Neoliberal University: How Do We Free Education?

A talk and rally in the run up to the National Demonstration for Free Education, to discuss the impact of neoliberalism on education and how we can transcend the current education system, abolishing financial and social barriers and creating an education system that is not just free in terms of not having fees (for international students as well as home students), but that is also democratic, representative, inclusive and supportive of all students and staff.

SPEAKERS:

MATTEW BRETT (via video from Montreal) - Former SOAS student, involved with the Free Education movement in Quebec

MEERA SABARATNAM- Lecturer in International Relations at SOAS and UCU representative.

ARIANNA TASSINARI- Former SOAS Students' Union Co-President and activist.

DAVID GRAEBER - lecturer in anthropology at LSE and activist.

Beyond the Neoliberal University: How Do We Free Education?

SU Current Affairs Lecture Series

Developments in India since the mid 1980’s signify the breakdown of consensual politics and the ideal of composite Indian nationhood. Communal animosity has corroded the social conscience, contributed to a disregard of human life, and led to the decay of a reliable criminal justice system. 

Radical rhetoric these days covers all shades of the political spectrum - the reality today is that extremism is a mainstream phenomenon. We need to rediscover the virtues of moderation.

SPEAKER

DILIP SIMEON: was part of the Maoist movement in India which he left in 1972 in the wake of the Bangladesh crisis. From 1974 till 1994 he taught history at Delhi University. From 1984 onward, he participated in a citizen's campaign against communal violence, known as the Sampradayikta Virodhi Andolan (Movement Against Communalism). From 1998 till 2003 he worked on a conflict-mitigation project with Oxfam; and is now associated with the Aman Trust, which works to understand and reduce violent conflict.

His blog contains several articles and reports on the issues discussed - http://dilipsimeon.blogspot.co.uk/

The Crisis of Extremes: A Meditation on Indian Politics

“British Values” according to Prime Minister David Cameron, describe the “democracy, the rule of law, freedom of speech, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different beliefs and faiths." Its introduction is a response by the state to what it perceives to be Black, Minority and Ethnic (BAME) communities growing and representing a threat to the norms inherited by hundreds of years of colonial rule. 

What is portrayed as a way of “uniting” communities can be a way of policing culture and in particular cultures of colour. Invariably, it can also be a way for the government to criminalise articulations of dissent from BAME communities who express the frustrations of marginalisation. 

The zine British Values is a response to “British Values.” Written and created by journalist Kieran Yates, the zine seeks to “rewrite the narrative of what "British values" are by passing our aux cords over to taxi drivers, re-visiting our school lunch boxes and generally shining the spotlight on the lives and experiences of non-native Brits.” 

Kieran will be discussing “What the fuck British Values” really are and how BAME and how she as a women of colour is creatively responding.

You can buy here: britishvalues.bigcartel.com


The Student Union Lecture Series 1: WTF Are British Values

Decolonising Our Minds and Pluto Press are delighted to welcome Peter Hudis, Selim Nadi and Tithi Bhattacharya for a discussion on Professor Hudis's crucial new book on Frantz Fanon's philosophical and psychological thought, and political activism - "Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades".

Scholarship on Fanon is vast, and he is regarded as a singular figure in postcolonialism, critical theory and revolutionary political thought. His works have inspired movements in Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the US and many other contexts, and in addition to the practical force of his philosophies, his writings have been the subject of intense intellectual study for decades.

"Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades" is a critical biography of Fanon's extraordinary life. Peter Hudis draws on the expanse of his life and work - from his upbringing in Martinique and early intellectual influences to his efforts to fuse psychoanalysis and philosophy and contributions to the anti-colonial struggle in Algeria - to counter the common assumption that Fanon's contribution to modern thought is defined by the advocacy of violence.

In Hudis' biography, Fanon emerges as neither armchair intellectual nor intransigent militant. He was a political activist who brought his interests in psychology and philosophy directly to bear on such issues as mutual recognition, democratic participation and political sovereignty. The book gives new force to Fanon's ideas, his life, and his example for people engaged in radical political theory, and speaks to all those engaged in the ongoing search for alternatives to oppressive social relations in the 21st century.

Join us for a conversation on Professor Hudis's book and the crucial themes it raises in regards to Fanon's life and works, and their significance for political thought and contemporary social justice struggles. Copies of the book will be sold on the day.

Peter Hudis is author of "Marx's Concept of the Alternative to Capitalism" (Brill, 2012). He edited "The Rosa Luxemburg Reader" (MRP, 2004) and "The Letters of Rosa Luxemburg" (Verso, 2013). He is Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Oakton Community College in Illinois, United States.

Tithi Bhattacharya is a professor of South Asian History at Purdue University in Indiana. She is the author of "The Sentinels of Culture: Class, Education, and the Colonial Intellectual in Bengal" (Oxford University Press, 2005) and a long-time activist for Palestinian justice. She writes extensively on Marxist theory, gender, and the politics of Islamophobia. Her work has been published in the Journal of Asian Studies, South Asia Research, Electronic Intifada, Jacobin, Salon and the New Left Review. She is on the editorial board of the International Socialist Review.

Selim Nadi is a PhD student at the Centre for History at Sciences Po (Paris). He is also part of the French Marxist theoretical journal Période (http://revueperiode.net/) and a regular contributor at ContreTemps (http://contretemps.eu/). Selim is also a member of the Parti des Indigènes de la République (P.I.R.), a French decolonial party.

The Student Union Lecture Series 5 - Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades

Sanwomi

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Geeked Up (Turns Out It's All In My Head)

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The Student Union Lecture Series 5 - Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades

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