Tuesday, 30th of January 2018, 3-5pm, in Arts C233

We will discuss the runner-up book of the 2016 CAIT International Theory Prize: Robbie Shilliam's The Black Pacific: Anti-Colonial Struggles and Oceanic Connections (London: Bloomsbury 2015).

"Why have the struggles of the African Diaspora so resonated with South Pacific people? How have Maori, Pasifika and Pakeha activists incorporated the ideologies of the African diaspora into their struggle against colonial rule and racism, and their pursuit of social justice? This book challenges predominant understandings of the historical linkages that make up the (post-)colonial world. The author goes beyond both the domination of the Atlantic viewpoint, and the correctives now being offered by South Pacific and Indian Ocean studies, to look at how the Atlantic ecumene is refracted in and has influenced the Pacific ecumene. The book is empirically rich, using extensive interviews, participation and archival work and focusing on the politics of Black Power and the Rastafari faith. It is also theoretically sophisticated, offering an innovative hermeneutical critique of post-colonial and subaltern studies. 'The Black Pacific' is essential reading for students and scholars of Politics, International Relations, History and Anthropology interested in anti-colonial struggles, anti-racism and the quests for equality, justice, freedom and self-determination."

The aim of the Symposium is to encourage in-depth engagement with innovative and fundamental research in IR. Participants are expected to be familiar with the text under discussion. The event is open to members of CAIT, Sussex faculty and PhD students.

Robbie Shilliam (QMUL)  will attend the event. He will also stay for dinner, so please let me know if you want to join us for dinner.

In preparation for the symposium, please read this critical review of Robbie's book

This is a rare opportunity for a thorough discussion with fellow faculty and research students of a profound contribution to IR theory. I look very much forward to the event.