Working at the University of Oxford gives the trainees access to a huge range of events, exhibitions and talks. While not directly related to library work, we wanted to take the time to highlight some of the events celebrating Black History Month that are taking place in Oxford and are open to the general public. There are a variety of lectures, talks and exhibitions designed to recognise the work of people of African and Caribbean descent, both globally and locally here in Oxford. For a full calendar, please visit this site.
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Annan Affotey: Art Exhibition
Date: October 1st – October 31st
Time: 10:00 – 18:00 daily
Location: St Hugh’s College (Hamlin Gallery)
Annan Affotey is an Oxford-based artist. He graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art and Design in 2007 with a degree in Drawing and Painting, and has had exhibitions in London, Los Angeles and New York City. His exhibition ‘My Complexion’ features his portraits of people of colour.
The exhibition is free and no booking is required. More details can be found here. On Thursday 20th October at 16.30, Annan will be giving a talk and providing a walk-through of the exhibition. Tickets are free and available here.
Black Women at Oxford: Exhibition
Date: October 3rd – October 31st
Location: The Hub (Kellogg College)
The University of Oxford began admitting Black female students in the 1930s. Kofoworola Ademola, the first Black African Women to graduate with a degree from Oxford University, is one amongst many Black women who feature in this exhibition curated by Urvi Khaitan. The exhibition features a variety of sources including photographs, biographies and other pieces of writing to explore the experiences of some of the first Black women at Oxford. For more information, please visit this site.
Paolo Scott: Reading and Q&A
Date: 19th October
Time: 14.00
Location: Colin Matthews Room, Radcliffe Humanities Building
In collaboration with the English Faculty, Brazilian author Paulo Scott will be giving a talk and answering questions on his work. After teaching law for ten years, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to focus on his writing. Scott has published four fiction books and four poetry anthologies. His latest book, Phenotypes, was longlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize.
For more information, please contact the English Faculty.
Professor Kehinde Andrews: Sam Sharpe Lecture: ‘Bringing Down the House’
Date: 19th October
Time: 19:00 – 21:00
Location: The Mathematics Institute (or online)
The Sam Sharpe Project was founded to raise awareness of Sam Sharpe, an enslaved man who helped to instigate the 1831 Slave Rebellion. For the past 10 years, the University of Oxford has partnered with the Sam Sharpe Partners to offer an annual lecture. The 2022 lecture is being given by Dr Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University. After the lecture, there will be a Q&A session facilitated by Dr Patricia Daley, Professor of the Human Geography of Africa at the University of Oxford.
Attendance is free, but due to limited places, registration is required- you can do so here.
Dr Victoria Showunmi, UCL: Sophisticated Racism: Navigating the Terrain:
Date: 20th October 2022
Time: 17.30 – 19.00
Location: Worcester College (or online)
Dr Victoria Showunmi is an Associate Professor at University College London’s Institute of Education. Her work revolves around education, identity, gender, empowerment and leadership. This year the Equality and Diversity Unit and the BME Staff Network at the University of Oxford, have invited Showunmi to give her lecture ‘Sophisticated Racism: Navigating the Terrain’ at Worcester College. Dr Victoria Showunmi’s talk will reference her co-edited book ‘Understanding and Managing Sophisticated and Everyday Racism: Implications for Education and Work’, which can be found at Mansfield College Library (shelfmark: 1055 SHO) or electronically via Bodleian Libraries reading room PCs.
This event is free, but you will need to register if would like to attend either in-person or virtually.
Black History Month Lecture – Decolonising EU Law: Purpose, Principles & Practice:
Date: 26th October 2022
Time: 17.30 – 18.45
Location: Kellogg College, 60-62 Banbury Road Kellogg Hub Oxford OX2 6PN
Professor Iyiola Solanke is the Jacques Delors Chair of EU Law at the University of Oxford. Her lecture ‘Decolonising EU Law: Purpose, Principles & Practice’ will be introduced by Shreya Atrey (the Racial Justice Fellow at Kellogg College who researches feminist theory, disability, poverty, and discrimination law) and the Decolonising the Law Discussion Group will co-host the talk.
This event is free, but you will need to register if you would like to attend – you can do so here.
Dr Machilu Zimba and Dr. José Lingna Nafafé: AfOx Insaka
Date: 28th October 2022
Time: 17.30 – 19.00
Location: Blavatnik School of Government (or online)
The Africa Oxford Initiative is a collaborative platform designed to promote connections between the University of Oxford and African universities through various means, including developing academic networks and increasing the number of scholarships for African students to study at the University of Oxford, as well as offering talks. This event features two speakers. Dr Machilu Zimba will discuss barriers to progression for international graduate students, and how they can be overcome. Dr. José Lingna Nafafé will present a paper on the Black Atlantic Abolishonist Movement.
This event is free. For more information, and to register, please visit this site. There will be a drinks reception after the event.
