Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

About the speaker

Kenan Malik is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster. He is a regular columnist for the Observer, where he has written frequently on issues related to migration and asylum, and an occasional columnist for the New York Times and Göteborgs-Posten. He studied neurobiology at the University of Sussex and history and philosophy of science at Imperial College, London. He has lectured at a number of universities in Britain, Europe, Australia and the USA.

His main areas of academic interest are the history of ideas, the history and philosophy of science, the history and philosophy of religion, the philosophy of mind, theories of human nature, moral and political philosophy, and the history and sociology of race, immigration and identity. 

His latest book, Not So Black and White: A History of Race from White Supremacy to Identity Politics (Hurst, 2023), was selected as one of the 'Books to Read in 2023' in the Financial Times and The Irish Times and was rated one of the 'Best Books of 2023 So Far' in the New Statesman.

His previous books include The Quest for a Moral Compass: A Global History of Ethics (Atlantic Books, 2015), From Fatwa to Jihad: How the World Changed, The Satanic Verses to Charlie Hebdo (Atlantic Books, updated edition 2017), Multiculturalism and its Discontents: Rethinking Diversity After 9/11 (Seagull, 2013),  Strange Fruit: Why Both Sides are Wrong in the Race Debate (Oneworld, 2008), Man, Beast and Zombie: What Science Can and Cannot Tell Us About Human Nature (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2000) and The Meaning of Race: Race, History and Culture in Western Society (Palgrave, 1996). 

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception. 

Register to attend the event. 

All enquiries should be directed to rsc-outreach@qeh.ox.ac.uk.

Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture

The Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture is held in Trinity term. It is named after Professor Elizabeth Colson, a renowned anthropologist.

Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture

The Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture is named in honour of Dr Barbara Harrell-Bond, the founding Director of the Refugee Studies Centre. It is held each year in Michaelmas term.

Public Seminar Series

Each term the RSC holds a series of public seminars, held on Wednesday evenings at Queen Elizabeth House. Click here for details of forthcoming seminars.

Connect with us

To keep up to date with our events and activities, sign up for email alerts from the RSC and Forced Migration Review, and connect with us on social media.

Forthcoming events

Producing the Camp-able Territory: Displacement, Domicide, and the Common Camp in Palestine-Israel’s Century of Settler Colonialism

Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

Refuge-Making: Stories from Iraq

Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

No Exit: Preventing Exit to Prevent Entry

Thursday, 06 February 2025, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

Film Screening and Q&A: Chileans of the North

Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 5pm to 7pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

Non-signatory States in International Refugee Law

Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

Scattered: The making and unmaking of a refugee. A conversation with Aamna Mohdin

Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB