Where are you visiting us from?
I was previously a Professor of Human Rights at Goldsmiths, University of London and am currently living and working in Sri Lanka: the field site of my research over the past 13 years and a place I love dearly. I am working with the Law and Society Trust, a local civil society research organisation, helping them to develop their research methods and protocols.
What will you be researching in your time here?
I am working on a book project that aims to offer new ways of thinking about political processes. Drawing on fieldwork conducted in Sri Lanka since 2012 I want to offer an alternative way of theorising politics: one that is decolonial and takes seriously the insights of grassroots activists and communities in parts of the world that are often overlooked by theorists operating in the rich, powerful global centres. Not only do I think this is ethically and politically important, I also think it is intellectually enriching. It might help us overcome some of the difficulties we currently see in democratic theory and practice regarding how to respond to the rise of anti-democratic populism around the world.
Why did you want to visit LSE and the Department of Gender Studies as part of your research?
My work has been greatly inspired by scholars in the department. In particular, Sumi Madhok’s work on vernacular human rights has provided me with a much-needed theoretical framework for work I have also been trying to do. Her book came as an absolute revelation as I was trying to explain why I felt that current theories of human rights – both those promoting and those critiquing them – did not do justice to the perspectives and practices of many marginalised people around the world. I have also long been a fan of Clare Hemmings – I love the way she writes and find her work on feminist activism and affect so inspiring. Having the chance to discuss my own work with her is a fantastic opportunity especially as I am writing about bodies and emotions in politics.
What do you hope will be the impact of your research?
Working in a field like human rights I always feel the pressure to make my work contribute in some way to the ‘real world’ beyond the Academy. The book I am currently writing comes out of years working closely with activists and thinkers in Sri Lanka. Some of these people are now in positions of power in the new government. So I hope that by documenting the process by which we have tried to grapple with issues of inequality, violence, identity and community I can offer some useful reflections on how change is possible as well as the very real practical challenges we continue to face. This I hope will be useful not just to those interested in Sri Lanka but those interested in decolonial politics more generally.
What have you enojued most about visiting the department?
The wonderful people! As I said, a number of my academic heroes are here and the events they organise are always stimulating and introduce me to new ideas, research and scholars. Alongside the well-established researchers, I have also found meeting the PhD students enriching. Hearing the next generation of thinkers talk about their research helps to keep my own thinking fresh.
Why is Gender Studies and important discipline to study and research?
For me no work on social justice is sufficient if it does not take seriously the issue of gender. I have been an activist, scholar and practitioner in the field of human rights for over 20 years. It is no exaggeration to say that in every place I have worked the experience of injustice, marginalisation, violence has been significantly affected by gender. It is also such an important aspect of people’s identity and sense of belonging. For this reason I am constantly surprised that it is not given a more central place in our thinking about the world. Gender Studies ensures that we do take it seriously and that we also don’t take for granted what is actually a very complex aspect of human experience.
If we are in any doubt as to the seriousness of gender studies we only need to look at how often the discipline is attacked by conservative forces. I think this is because it really challenges existing power relations and as someone who hopes to see a fairer, more just world this can only be a good thing!
What is one of your favuoute things to do in London?
London is the most truly cosmopolitan place I have ever visited. I love the fact that just walking the streets you hear such a wide range of languages, see such a wide range of cultures on display. I am also always blown away by how much there is to do in the city! Every day offers a new exhibition, every night a new talk. My favourite thing to do is just pop into the Tate Modern and discover whatever new exhibition is on display. If I am ever struggling to write it is guaranteed that a wander through the gallery will get the creative juices flowing!