Democracy On The Rocks?
Voices from North Korea
This event brings together North Korean defectors to share their lived experiences of defection, adaptation, and identity in South Korea. It is hosted by Hayoun Noh, a DPhil candidate in the Human-Centered AI group (supervised by Prof. Max Van Kleek) at the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford. Her research explores how digital technologies shape the transition of defectors from one of the least connected societies in the world to one of the most digitally advanced.
Islam and Democracy: Whose Rule? Which Sovereignty?
To whom does 'sovereignty' belong, and what does the Islamic intellectual tradition have to say about this? While some scholars argue that a normative commitment to democracy compromises the sovereignty of God, thinkers like Rached Ghannouchi hold that democracy is an expression of a delegated power of vicegerency (or caliphate) granted to humanity by God.
Identity–Security Relations in Politics
How does identity influence politics and international conflict? What happens when identities feel threatened or insecure?
In this session, we’ll explore how identity and security intersect, examining how non-physical threats to identity can fuel political tensions and conflict dynamics.
To ground our discussion, we’ll engage with three key articles: one outlines the theoretical framework, while the other two apply it to specific case studies—Turkey–Kurdish relations and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
🗓️ Wednesday, 18 June
🕢 20:00 (refreshments from 19:45)
In this session, we’ll explore how identity and security intersect, examining how non-physical threats to identity can fuel political tensions and conflict dynamics.
To ground our discussion, we’ll engage with three key articles: one outlines the theoretical framework, while the other two apply it to specific case studies—Turkey–Kurdish relations and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
🗓️ Wednesday, 18 June
🕢 20:00 (refreshments from 19:45)
The Annual Fulbright Distinguished Lecture in International Relations
Licinia Güttel
In her doctoral research, Licinia studies party positions and public opinion on digitalisation. Her dissertation examines whether digitalisation has become a politicised issue in party competition in Europe, focusing on both the national and EU levels. The Clarendon fund generously supports her doctoral research.
Oxford Conservative Thought Reading Group (Week 7: Freedom of Speech)
The Oxford Conservative Thought (OCT) Reading Group is a non-partisan group devoted to academic exploration of small-c conservative political thought. We welcome, and actively encourage, viewpoint diversity and constructive engagement across ideological divides (all good-willed participants are welcome!)
Each week we read one assigned text, and we recommend more for anyone who is very keen!
The OCT meets weekly in term time on Fridays from 4-5:30pm.
Week 7 explores conservative views on and debates about freedom of speech, with a reading from John Finnis
Each week we read one assigned text, and we recommend more for anyone who is very keen!
The OCT meets weekly in term time on Fridays from 4-5:30pm.
Week 7 explores conservative views on and debates about freedom of speech, with a reading from John Finnis
PRIVACY China Workshop
08:45 Arrival
09:15 Opening remarks - Rachel Murphy and Genia Kostka
09:30 Roundtable: What is Privacy (in Authoritarian Contexts)?
Daniel Miller (UCL) and WANG Xinyuan (UCL):
“The depth and breadth of privacy”
ZHAO Jun (Oxford):
“Data, algorithmic manipulation, and their privacy implications for young children and families”
LIU Ruoxi (Oxford):
“Privacy – independent cultural workers and youth communities in China”
Moderator: Genia Kostka (Berlin)
11:00 Tea / Coffee
11:30 Privacy: The Party-State View
ZHOU Hui (Berlin):
09:15 Opening remarks - Rachel Murphy and Genia Kostka
09:30 Roundtable: What is Privacy (in Authoritarian Contexts)?
Daniel Miller (UCL) and WANG Xinyuan (UCL):
“The depth and breadth of privacy”
ZHAO Jun (Oxford):
“Data, algorithmic manipulation, and their privacy implications for young children and families”
LIU Ruoxi (Oxford):
“Privacy – independent cultural workers and youth communities in China”
Moderator: Genia Kostka (Berlin)
11:00 Tea / Coffee
11:30 Privacy: The Party-State View
ZHOU Hui (Berlin):
New Books in Israel Studies
Prof. Penslar, Prof. Yadgar, and Prof. Peleg will discuss some fundamental themes in Israel Studies through their recently published books:
Professor Derek Penslar, Zionism: An Emotional State (Key Words in Jewish Studies), New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 2023
Professor Yaacov Yadgar, To Be a Jewish State: Zionism as the New Judaism, New York, NYU Press, 2024
Professor Yaron Peleg, New Hebrews: Making National Culture in Zion, Cambridge University Press, 2025
Professor Derek Penslar, Zionism: An Emotional State (Key Words in Jewish Studies), New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 2023
Professor Yaacov Yadgar, To Be a Jewish State: Zionism as the New Judaism, New York, NYU Press, 2024
Professor Yaron Peleg, New Hebrews: Making National Culture in Zion, Cambridge University Press, 2025