Keele University hosts two events on the subject of forced migration
The Humanities and Social Science Research Institute at Keele University will be hosting the inaugural events of the AHRC-funded project ‘Responding to Crisis: Forced Migration & the Humanities in the 21st Century’.
The public events, both to be held at Keele University on 5th October, will explore the subject of cultural responses to contemporary migration, and the vital role the arts and humanities have in shaping debates.
The first event, a public workshop, will explore the diverse approaches among activists, practitioners and academics to the current migration 'crisis'. What methodologies do different sectors use to approach mass migration, displacement, and the current ‘crisis’?
The second event, held later on 5th October in Keele Hall, will be an evening of poetry on the theme of contemporary migration. Readings by Robert Hampson, Saradha Soobrayen and James Sheard will address the challenges of forced displacement. An exhibition of photography by independent artist, photographer, and writer John Perivolaris, will be displayed during the evening.
The project ‘Responding to Crisis’, led by Mariangela Palladino (Keele) and Agnes Woolley (Royal Holloway University of London), aims to develop cultural responses to the current migration ‘crisis’. The arts and humanities have a vital role to play in shaping current debates on forced displacement. How do we interpret, represent and conceptualise forced migration in the twenty-first century, and how do criticism and the arts play an active role in political transformation? Since the turn of this century alone, tens of thousands have died trying to reach Europe; this is a crisis not only of geopolitics, but also of values. Often unrecognised and unaccounted for, these deaths demand a response not just from governments, advocacy groups and political institutions, but also from those concerned with narrative, representation and the arts. We look to the arts for an understanding of who we are and how we relate to others, but also for the kind of society we want to live in.
Event information:
Workshop: Contemporary crisis of values and 'necropolitics’
5th October 12-00 – 4.00 pm Claus Moser Building
The session will include contributions from grassroots organisations, law and humanities scholars, in order to develop new methodological modes of collaborative response. The workshop includes presentations by Neelam Srivastava, Anthony Good, Roger Bromley, Jerome Phelps, Robert Hampson and Carolina Albuerne.
‘Poetic Responses to Contemporary Migration’
5th October 5.00-7.00 pm Keele Hall
Readings will address the challenges of forced displacement. Keele Creative writing students will also present a selection of poems and engage the audience with participatory activity ‘pebble poetry’. All participants are warmly invited to the wine and canapé reception after the readings.
Both events are free to attend, but please pre-book online