Keynote by Maaike Bleeker for the Conventions of Proximity in Art, Theatre and Performance symposium in May 2016 co-hosted by Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre and Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture, and supported by Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities and Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image. Over a day and a half, artists and writers shared their work on proximity as an idea and as a practice. From the early modern to the contemporary, in examples drawn from s...
Nov 06, 2017•41 min
Dr Jessica Borge discusses her research into the London Rubber Company, the dominant producer of dipped latex products in Britain including Durex condoms, the cultural barriers to selling condoms, and the strategic marketing activity that sought to overcome this. Birkbeck Voices, the podcast series from Birkbeck, University of London, brings you interviews with our academics, students, alumni and wider community. We cover the latest research and inspiring events taking place at the College and f...
Oct 20, 2017•10 min
In Times of Love and Hate is a new podcast series from Birkbeck Voices. In this episode, Jean Marc Dewaele is talking about communication: in particular, the difficulties that arise in communicating love and hate in a second or foreign language. The episodes in this series are brought to you by academics from Birkbeck’s MA Public Histories, MSc War and Humanitarianism, BA Human Geography, BA Archaeology and Geography, and BA Intercultural Communication and Language. They will explore with you ho...
Oct 12, 2017•11 min
This is the first session of J. Beverley’s Masterclass organised by the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS) during Birkbeck’s Arts Week, May 2017. John Beverley is Distinguished Professor of Hispanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh. That the conjunction of postcolonial struggle and structuralism in the 1960s produces a kind of earthquake in academic knowledge and institutions, particularly in the domain of what the French call the human science...
Oct 05, 2017•2 hr 34 min
This is the third session of J. Beverley’s Masterclass organised by the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS) during Birkbeck’s Arts Week, May 2017. John Beverley is Distinguished Professor of Hispanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh. That the conjunction of postcolonial struggle and structuralism in the 1960s produces a kind of earthquake in academic knowledge and institutions, particularly in the domain of what the French call the human science...
Oct 05, 2017•1 hr 36 min
This is the second session of J. Beverley’s Masterclass organised by the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS) during Birkbeck’s Arts Week, May 2017. John Beverley is Distinguished Professor of Hispanic Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh. That the conjunction of postcolonial struggle and structuralism in the 1960s produces a kind of earthquake in academic knowledge and institutions, particularly in the domain of what the French call the human scienc...
Oct 05, 2017•2 hr 23 min
Using digital analysis, Dr Laura Jacobus has revealed that two portraits of an early 14th-century Paduan businessman, created by different artists 25 years apart, had identical underlying bone structures. She shows that the sculptures are the first known examples of portraits using mechanical means to show an exact physical likeness of their subject – something which did not become a standard feature of portraiture until the advent of photography six centuries later. In this podcast, Dr Jacobus ...
Aug 29, 2017•21 min
In Times of Love and Hate is a new podcast series from Birkbeck Voices. In our first episode, Professor Marina Warner talks about the importance of language, and particularly language woven into stories, which can shape our shared understanding and deepen our abilities to negotiate with one another as we navigate through times of love and hate. The episodes in this series are brought to you by academics from Birkbeck’s MA Public Histories, MSc War and Humanitarianism, BA Human Geography, BA Arch...
Jul 25, 2017•53 min
For the last fifteen years, both alone and in collaboration with Tim Crouch (An Oak Tree, Adler & Gibb), theatre-maker Andy Smith has been involved in creating a large body of work. He refers to this as a ‘dematerialised theatre’ – a theatre that attempts to do more with less. This is a recording of the discussion that took place after the talk.
Jul 05, 2017•25 min
For the last fifteen years, both alone and in collaboration with Tim Crouch (An Oak Tree, Adler & Gibb), theatre-maker Andy Smith has been involved in creating a large body of work. He refers to this as a ‘dematerialised theatre’ – a theatre that attempts to do more with less. This talk reviews some of the principles of the practice, and explores some of its origins.
Jul 05, 2017•59 min
For the last fifteen years, both alone and in collaboration with Tim Crouch (An Oak Tree, Adler & Gibb), theatre-maker Andy Smith has been involved in creating a large body of work. He refers to this as a ‘dematerialised theatre’ – a theatre that attempts to do more with less. This talk reviews some of the principles of the practice, and explores some of its origins. Andy will read and discuss some examples of his work.
Jul 05, 2017•2 min
Daniel Monk from Birkbeck's School of Law discusses what the law has to say about sibling relationships, including inheritance and care laws. He is currently undertaking the first major study on siblings in law, which will draw on research emerging from a number of disciplines that has highlighted the importance of siblings for children’s development, wellbeing and identity. Daniel will be speaking further on the topic in a free public lecture on 5 July 2017, as part of Birkbeck's Big Ideas seri...
Jul 04, 2017•14 min
The Birkbeck Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies was proud to host this launch of Professor Isobel Armstrong’s latest publication, Novel Politics. Democratic Imaginations in Nineteenth-Century Fiction (Oxford University Press, 2016).
Jul 03, 2017•16 min
The Birkbeck Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies was proud to host this launch of Professor Isobel Armstrong’s latest publication, Novel Politics. Democratic Imaginations in Nineteenth-Century Fiction (Oxford University Press, 2016).
Jul 03, 2017•6 min
The Birkbeck Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies was proud to host this launch of Professor Isobel Armstrong’s latest publication, Novel Politics. Democratic Imaginations in Nineteenth-Century Fiction (Oxford University Press, 2016). Here is a recording of David Feldman's talk at the event
Jul 03, 2017•15 min
The Birkbeck Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies was proud to host this launch of Professor Isobel Armstrong’s latest publication, Novel Politics. Democratic Imaginations in Nineteenth-Century Fiction (Oxford University Press, 2016). Here Cora Kaplan introduces the event.
Jul 03, 2017•13 min
Dr Bruna Seu from Birkbeck's Department of Psychosocial Studies and Glen Tarman, Head of Global Advocacy at CARE International discuss some of the issues raised by Dr Seu's new book, written with Dr Shani Orgad (LSE) Caring in Crisis? Humanitarianism, the Public and NGOs (2017, Palgrave Macmillan). The issues raised by the book include the limitations of the "hit and run" approach to fundraising, where donors are bombarded with traumatic images designed to elicit financial donations without oppo...
Jun 22, 2017•26 min
In the concluding session of the conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, members of the project both past and present reflect on how language can be a tool of communication, solidarity and unity, as well as a force of division and alienation. Participants included: Jessica Reinisch (Birkbeck), Dora Vargha (University of Exeter), Brigid O’Keefe (Brooklyn College), Johanna Conterio (Flinders University), Ana Antic (University of Exet...
Jun 17, 2017•48 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Dora Vargha (University of Exeter), Elidor Mëhilli (Hunter College) and Rachel Applebaum (Tufts University – recorded in discussion only) examine the languages of socialist internationalism. The panel, chaired by Johanna Conterio (Flinders University), addresses languages of health and disease in Hungary, the power of Russian in Albania, and Russian as a foreign language in Cold ...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 22 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Katherine Reischl (Princeton University) and Yuliya Komska (Dartmouth College) examine practices of translating across borders, focusing on the publishing histories of M. Il’in’s The Story of the Great Plan and H.A. and Margret Rey’s Curious George. The panel, chaired by Sophie Heywood (University of Reading), addresses how publishers viewed images and languages as mediums which ...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 30 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Heidi Tworek (University of British Columbia), Humphrey Tonkin (University of Hartford), Lisa McEntree-Atalianis (Birkbeck) and Sebastian Gehrig (Oxford) discuss language and expertise across international organisations in relation to the League of Nations, United Nations, and the states of East and West Germany. The panel, chaired by Jessica Reinisch (Birkbeck), addresses the em...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 45 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Jocelyn Olcott (Duke University), Christine Vargha-Harris (Illinois State University – discussion only) and Emma Lundin (Birkbeck) examine the language adopted by international feminist movements in relation to the examples of the 1975 International Women’s Year conference and Swedish and South African political activists from 1968-1994. The panel, chaired by Philippa Hetheringto...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 9 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Marc Volovici (Princeton University), Nick Underwood (University of Colorado Boulder) and Carmen Mangion (Birkbeck) discuss the search for a shared language in relation to the examples of German as a Zionist lingua franca, Yiddish in interwar Paris, and the language of governance amongst Catholic networks and communities. The panel, chaired by David Brydan (Birkbeck), addresses h...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 23 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Diana Georgescu (University College London), Pey-Yi Chu (Pomona College), Beatrice Wayne (New York University) and Dina Fainberg (City, University of London) discuss language and communication during the Cold War. The panel, chaired by Dora Vargha (University of Exeter) highlight frictions and tensions which emerged over the use of language in international settings. ‘Languages o...
Jun 17, 2017•2 hr 4 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Allison Korinek (New York University) and Justin Jackson (New York University) discuss the role of language in constructing the French imperial interpretariat in Algeria, and the work of interpreters in providing local linguistic knowledge during the U.S wars and occupations in Cuba and the Philippines from 1898-1913. The panel, chaired by Ana Antic (University of Exeter) address...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 29 min
As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Brigid O’Keefe (Brooklyn College) and Claire Shaw (University of Bristol) discuss the rise and fall of Esperanto in the early Soviet Union and international sign language during the Cold War. The panel, chaired by Humphrey Tonkin (University of Hartford), addresses how international these languages were. ‘Languages of Internationalism’ aimed to shed light on the centrality of lan...
Jun 17, 2017•1 hr 29 min
‘Queer British Art 1861–1967’ is the first exhibition dedicated to British LGBTQ art, and marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England. Clare Barlow, the exhibition’s curator, will introduce the exhibition. Speaker: Clare Barlow joined Tate in 2014. As Assistant Curator, British Art 1750–1830 she is part of the pre-1800 team of Curators and Assistant Curators who are responsible for developing and researching Tate’s collection of artworks from the ...
Jun 05, 2017•52 min
Non-fiction has risen to prominence in recent years. In this event, discuss why this might be with Birkbeck writers Katherine Angel and Julia Bell, and poet Sarah Howe. Our panellists will ask questions about truth-telling and artifice, representation and voice, in relation to both prose and poetry.
Jun 02, 2017•1 hr 26 min
Mike Berlin, a specialist in the social history of London, discusses the history of Birkbeck as a place of refuge throughout the twentieth century, and how refugees have shaped the College. He also discusses how this legacy is continuing with the Compass Project - an initiative which will fund the study of twenty asylum seekers, beginning in autumn 2017. For more information on the Compass Project, go to: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/about-us/outreach/compass-project Birkbeck Voices, the podcast series ...
Jun 01, 2017•7 min
Following the political turbulence of the last 12 months, Birkbeck’s 2017 Arts Week programme tackles some of the most topical issues facing society today through theatre, literature, poetry, photography, cinema and debate. Running from Monday 15 to Friday 19 May, the annual celebration of arts and culture will feature more than 50 free events for the public to attend. In this podcast we give listeners a taster of the thought-provoking and intriguing topics that they will encounter during Arts W...
May 11, 2017•21 min
