The series

This term’s series explores social science’s big concepts. It examines the contested meaning and diverse application of some of the theoretical ideas that unify and challenge social scientists. It brings together the bright minds of Oxford, and high profile external speakers, to consider the range of ways in which we can think about ‘power’, ‘space’, ‘identity’, and ‘belonging’.

This seminar is organised jointly with the Institute for International Economic Policy at George Washington University and the UNDP Human Development Report Office.
This seminar will be held online, to register, visit: https://bit.ly/3q1F24y

About the presenter:

Kashmir is among the oldest unresolved international conflicts on the United Nations' agenda. Over the last few decades, India has imposed a state of permanent emergency in Indian-administered Kashmir, through 'draconian' domestic laws that quell the political struggle and the rights of the people of Kashmir. Thousands have been killed in extrajudicial executions, scores have been arbitrarily detained, and many subjected to enforced disappearances. Sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war to subjugate an entire population.

He is widely known as ‘the Swiss John Oliver’ (Tages Anzeiger). The Migros Magazine described him as the ‘Late Night Star’. For some, he is the rescuer in times of satire hardship (Neue Zürcher Zeitung, NZZ). Others again simply know him as ‘the one with the curly hair’. Michael Elsener might have many faces. What can surely be said, is that he is currently the most trenchant, critical and political stand-up comedian in Switzerland. He has inspired people on stage and in his late Night Show in Germany, New York City and Switzerland, and is now taking a virtual stop in Oxford.

Yemen has been termed by the UN as 'the world's worst humanitarian crisis'. 80% of the population – 24.1 million people – need some form of humanitarian assistance, and the UN continues to warn of impending widespread famine. The UN has described this as a 'man-made crisis', caused by the conflict in Yemen that has been ongoing for six years now.

The overthrow of Ben Ali's dictatorship in 2011 was revolutionary both in its method and in its outcome, involving mass participation and opening the way for the establishment of democratic institutions. However, like all such events, it is part of a process that continues as Tunisians grapple with the challenge of bringing about significant change not simply in their governing institutions, but also in the other areas of political, social, cultural and economic life that shape the lives and the rights of citizens.

How can international human rights obligations be enforced against all-powerful permanent members of the UN Security Council? What is the role that the civil society can play in upholding states' human rights obligations? Expert panellists examine the role of international law, civil society and the domestic UK response in addressing China's alleged commission of international crimes in the Xinjiang detention camps.

This event will be held online via Zoom. See the event webpage for more information and to register.

Reducing inequality has been a central international development concern for a long time and is one of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals. The damaging effects of social inequalities have now been acknowledged by governments, but inequality has continued to widen and has been supercharged by the Covid-19 crisis. Inequality is also driving other crises including environmental degradation and global warming.