H.P. Lovecraft is a mainstay in popular culture and among the most widely recognised figures of pulp fiction. Over the last decade, though, Lovecraft’s oeuvre has been at the forefront of a reckoning as readers, writers, and scholars alike increasingly confront the author’s profoundly racist beliefs. Notwithstanding the veracity of such criticism, discussion has been predominantly focused on questions surrounding Lovecraft’s legacy and the degree to which the image of Lovecraft the rabid racist can be disentangled from the contents of his tales.

Can we use words, poetry and literature to go beyond the bloodless litany of cold statistics and faceless numbers which has become the default way of conveying conflict, war and displacement?

An evening with Charlotte Shevchenko Knight (Cape Poetry), Ivan Krastev (Penguin) & Yousif M. Qasmiyeh (Broken Sleep Books)

Join us for an engaging evening as Professor Arthur Spirling explores the intriguing dynamics between complexity and efficacy in machine learning models within the political landscape. The keynote will be followed by a drinks reception, providing attendees with an excellent opportunity to network with peers, discuss the insights shared by Professor Spirling, and enjoy a selection of refreshments in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

Eclaircissements (Conversations on Science, Culture and Time) is the original title of the volume of five dialogues between Michel Serres and Bruno Latour published in 1992. Widely translated, this book reflects a time of intense and joyous dialogue and sharing ideas. This conference aims to shed new light on their philosophical dialogue and explore how their views compare, clash, dovetail and are mutually enriching. How do, for instance, The Natural Contract and Politics of Nature, Biogea and Gaia, echo each other.

Convened by Nathalie Berny (MFO) and Steve Fisher (University of Oxford)

PROGRAMME:

14:00 - 15:25 - Panel 1 - Voting behaviour
Chair - Geoffrey Evans - University of Oxford

Bruno Cautrès, Sciences Po Paris
Miriam Sorace, University of Reading
Steve Fisher, University of Oxford

15:25-15:45 Coffee break

15:45 - 17:10 - Panel 2 - Parties and politics across Europe
Chair - Anthony Teasdale, LSE

Anja Thomas, University of Lille
Sofia Vasilopoulou, King’s College London
Mihail Chiru, University of Oxford

Professor Amina Mama, 'Transnational Feminism in an Age of Genocide'