On 6 September 2023, IASH presented a panel as part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's CURIOUS festival. Titled Surfacing Diasporas, the event asked, what does it mean to be part of a diaspora? How does migration shape our common experiences?
Our international panel explored the rich experiences of diaspora communities and the profound impact of migration on our collective journey. From Somali-Scots to Philippine workers, we challenged outdated views of “exotic” cultures abroad. Amplifying migrant voices, we reclaimed diasporas as vibrant, diverse cultures beyond Western perspectives that dominate the media. We challenged academia’s oversight of the knowledge of colonised peoples, and proposed new ways of reflecting on identity through sound and listening, opening up unexplored archives of migration, and dreaming of new futures. The panel featured Fellows Dr Marlo De Lara and Dr Emma Hill alongside RACE.ED Co-Director Dr Katucha Bento, and was chaired by Professor Nasar Meer, a former Fellow now at the University of Glasgow.
The full recording can be viewed on YouTube.