Dr Tim Aistrope is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Director of Graduate Studies (Taught) at the University of Kent's School of Politics and International Relations. Based in Canterbury, his research focuses on the intersection of political culture, security studies, and international relations theory. Key themes include the role of imagination, conspiracy theories in foreign policy, and the embodiment of political narratives. His notable work includes the book Conspiracy Theory and American Foreign Policy (2016), analyzing post-9/11 secrecy and power dynamics. He teaches courses on IR theory and security, supervising PhD students exploring topics like securitization and translation. Active in professional associations, he contributes to journals like International Studies Quarterly and International Affairs . His recent publications address pandemic governance, apocalyptic narratives, and cybersecurity. Research interests span IR theory, US/Australian foreign policy, international ethics, and cyber security. His work often bridges cultural studies and security, examining how narratives shape policy and public perception. He has advised on counter-radicalization strategies and explored the role of social media in counterterrorism. His academic contributions highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding global politics through lenses of culture, ethics, and critical theory.
Dr Ben Gidley is a Professor of Sociology and Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, within the School of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of London and has conducted interdisciplinary research on migration, urban sociology, and racialization. His work focuses on contemporary forms of racialization, intercultural encounters in urban contexts, and the sociology of British Jewry. Education: BA Anthropology, MA Urban Studies, PhD Sociology (University of London). Research Interests: Urban diversity, antisemitism and Islamophobia, diasporic belonging, Jewish-Muslim encounters, fascism studies, and East/Southeast London ethnography. His recent projects include comparative studies on Muslim-Jewish relations in Europe (ENCOUNTERS) and a study of liminal waterway countercultures (LIMINALWATER). Publications include books such as Turbulent Times (2010) and journal articles exploring urban multiculturalism, antisemitism, and diaspora spaces. He supervises doctoral students on topics like Italian migrant whiteness, Kurdish diaspora, and carceral geographies. Teaching: Modules on racism, antisemitism, and urban studies. He is Director of Research and Sociology REF lead at Birkbeck.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Mahvish Ahmad is an Assistant Professor in Human Rights and Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) , affiliated with the Department of Sociology. She previously held a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of the Western Cape's Centre for Humanities Research. Her PhD in Sociology from Cambridge University focuses on state violence in Balochistan, Pakistan. Research Interests: Her work critically examines state violence, militarism, decolonial theory, and anti-imperial thought. Core themes include: State destruction mechanisms in Balochistan Archiving marginalized resistance movements Leftist periodicals as counterhegemonic tools Transnational solidarity networks Teaching: Convenes courses on Lawful Violence and Contemporary Politics of Human Rights . Integrates anti-colonial perspectives into curricula. Key Projects: Sovereign Destruction : Explores state demolition of alternative social orders in Balochistan. Thought Under Siege : Recovers grassroots movement thought from banned materials. Co-convenes Archives of the Disappeared (with scholars at UWCape and SA). Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and edited volumes, including works in Radical History Review , Surveillance & Society , and South Asian History and Culture . Recent focus on Balochistan's conflict dynamics and global South periodicals.
Gholam Khiabany is a Reader in Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London, within the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies (MCCS). His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to the understanding of media, politics, and cultural practices, particularly in relation to the Middle East. He serves as an editor of the Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication and is a member of the council of management of the Institute of Race Relations. Khiabany's research interests center on the complex relationship between citizenship, political activism, and media and cultural practices. His work critically examines media representation of race, migration, and refugees, with particular attention to anti-Muslim racism and the culturalization of terror. He has extensively studied political communication in Iran and the broader Middle East, analyzing how digital media transforms political engagement in authoritarian contexts. His scholarship also addresses the rise of the security state, multiculturalism debates, and the political economy of media in neoliberal times. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with contemporary political issues through a critical media studies lens. Recent publications reveal a growing focus on migration securitization, citizenship rights, and the marketization of higher education. His work consistently bridges theoretical rigor with urgent political questions, particularly regarding racialized politics and state power. Khiabany frequently collaborates with scholars like Milly Williamson, Natalie Fenton, and Des Freedman, reflecting his commitment to collective scholarly work. Khiabany has authored influential books including Iranian Media: The Paradox of Modernity (2009), Blogistan: The Internet and Politics in Iran (2010, co-authored with Annabelle Sreberny), and Media, Democracy and Social Change: Re-imagining Political Communications (2020). He has also co-edited significant volumes such as After Charlie Hebdo: Terror, Racism and Free Speech (2017) and The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East (2023). His academic work consistently addresses issues of power, representation, and resistance, with particular attention to how marginalized communities navigate media landscapes. Khiabany's research has evolved to increasingly focus on the intersection of migration politics, security discourses, and racialized state power, while maintaining his foundational interest in Middle Eastern media politics and alternative communication practices.
Kawtar Najib is a Lecturer in Human Geography at the Department of Geography and Planning , University of Liverpool , specializing in Social and Spatial Inequalities . She is affiliated with the Geographic Data Science Lab and Power, Space & Cultural Change research clusters. PhD : University of Franche-Comté, France Her research examines Islamophobia through mixed methods, analyzing spatialization across global, urban, and embodied scales. Key themes include racism , segregation , urban exclusion , and social justice . Recent work connects global issues of dehumanization , citizenship , and racism to localized geographies. Articles highlight trends in critical Muslim geographies , spatialized injustice , and policy responses to Islamophobia. Her book on 'Spatialized Islamophobia' conceptualizes multi-scalar dynamics of discrimination. Marie Curie Sklodowska Postdoctoral Fellowship She teaches modules on Social and Spatial Inequalities , Geographic Data Science , and Human-Environmental Interactions , with advisory roles for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims and European Parliament . Her research impacts policy through collaborations with NGOs, contributions to the European Islamophobia Report , and media engagements addressing anti-Muslim violence and social justice .
Professor Mustapha Sheikh is Chair in Islamic Thought and Muslim Societies at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds. He is Co-Director of the Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies and actively contributes to interdisciplinary research on Muslim intellectual history, Islamic law, and contemporary socio-political issues affecting Muslim communities globally. His educational background includes a DPhil in Theology and Religion from the University of Oxford, an MSt in the Study of Religions (Oxford), a BA in Arabic and Islamic Law, and a BSc in Project Management from University College London. His academic journey reflects a deep integration of traditional Islamic scholarship and rigorous Western academic training. Sheikh's research is centered on two interrelated strands: first, Islamic intellectual and legal history, particularly revivalist and reformist movements in the Ottoman and early modern Islamic world; second, the socio-scientific analysis of contemporary Muslim societies, including Islamophobia, Islamic finance, food and water security, and decolonial studies. His seminal work Ottoman Puritanism and Its Discontents (Oxford University Press, 2016) has significantly reshaped scholarly understanding of the Qadizadeli movement and Taymiyyan influences in Ottoman thought. He is a pioneer in advancing Critical Muslim Studies as a post-Orientalist framework for rethinking Islamic tradition. His recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining Islamic legal theory with social justice, environmental security, and political economy. Themes such as intersectional oppression, decoloniality, and ethical finance recur across his work, reflecting a commitment to justice-oriented scholarship. He frequently collaborates with scholars across disciplines and geographies, particularly in the Global South. Member, British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) Member, British Association of Islamic Studies (BRAIS) Board Member, (In)Justice International Professor Sheikh actively supervises PhD students and has successfully guided over 20 doctoral candidates to completion. His research is supported by collaborations across institutions, including the University of Punjab (where he is a Visiting Professor) and Harper Adams University. He is currently co-editing volumes on global injustice and Islamic finance, and working on a book about healing racial trauma from an Islamic psycho-spiritual perspective. He leads and participates in numerous research groups, including the Arabic History group and the Centre for Religion and Public Life, and is deeply involved in public engagement through talks, webinars, and podcasts addressing Islamophobia, women’s rights under Shari’a, and decolonising knowledge.
Dr. Tajul Islam is a Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies , University of Leeds , where he has been a member of staff since 2009. He also holds a visiting position at the University of the Punjab, Lahore. His academic work bridges traditional Islamic scholarship and critical theory, and he is a co-founder of Critical Muslim Studies (CMS) at Leeds, a framework aimed at centering Muslim subjectivity and decolonizing knowledge production in higher education. Education: BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies — University of Leeds PhD in Arab and Islamic Studies — University of Exeter Dr. Islam’s research encompasses a wide range of fields, including Islamic Theology (kalam) , Qur’anic Studies , Hadith , Islamic Law , Islamic Philosophy , Islamism , Islamophobia , antisemitism , racism , Biblical Studies , and Madrasa studies . His teaching emphasizes inclusivity and sensitivity to contemporary issues of identity and prejudice. His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining religious studies with food ethics, digital humanities, and decolonial theory. Key themes include theological minimalism , racial justice in early Islam , Islamic reform , and cross-traditional dialogue . He frequently presents at international conferences and public events on topics such as decolonial imagination, fatwa borrowing, and Muslim identity. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: Co-authored a well-cited article on Hanafi fiqh and British Muslims’ views on cultured meat. Published on Qur’anic phonetics and automatic lexis extraction. Contributed to encyclopedias on Ibn Mujahid and the Bible’s use in Islamophobic discourse. Co-founded the Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies. Dr. Islam supervises a diverse cohort of PhD students on topics ranging from blasphemy laws and translation studies to female religious authority and Qur’anic coherence. He has successfully guided over 15 doctoral candidates to completion. He is also involved in collaborative research and international academic partnerships, particularly with institutions in Pakistan. Labs and Research Groups: Co-Director, Iqbal Centre for Critical Muslim Studies Member of research groups in Arabic Cultural Studies , Conflict , and History
Douglas Morrey is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts , University of Warwick , specializing in Contemporary French Literature and French Cinema . His email is D.J.Morrey@warwick.ac.uk , and he works in the Faculty of Arts Building, Fourth Floor. He holds degrees from the University of Warwick (BA, MA, PhD). His research spans Toxic Masculinity in post-1968 French literature, Neoliberalism and Cultural Critique , and Film Studies , particularly the works of Jean-Luc Godard, Claire Denis, and Jacques Rivette. Current Research: Toxic masculinity in French literature, neoliberalism's impact on French cultural discourse Collaborations: Co-organizing research networks on masculinities with Prof. Bradley Stephens and a neoliberal critique symposium with Prof. Oliver Davis His recent publications analyze Jean-Luc Godard's political cinema , Jacques Rivette's film theory , and Juliette Binoche's aging roles . He supervises PhD projects on topics like French horror cinema, neoliberalism in literature, and queer fiction. He teaches modules on French cinema and identity crises in French novels.
Dr. Rhiannon Firth is a Lecturer in Sociology of Education in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL). She also serves as the Programme Leader for the MA in Sociology of Education. Her academic career spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Sociology, Education, and Politics, with a focus on utopian ideals and pedagogical practices of social and ecological movements. Dr. Firth's educational background includes: First Class BA (Hons) in Combined Studies (Politics, English Literature and Economic and Social History) from the University of Leicester ESRC-funded MA in Political Science (Distinction) from the University of Nottingham PhD in Political Sociology from the University of Nottingham Her research focuses on how grassroots social movements create knowledge and mobilize social change around global "wicked" problems including inequality, climate change, technological developments, and pandemics. She has conducted funded research with self-managed sustainable communities in the UK and USA, grassroots disaster relief movements including Occupy Sandy New York and COVID-19 Mutual Aid London, and organizations using automation technology in experimental ways. Dr. Firth's recent publications reflect her ongoing exploration of utopian and dystopian themes across multiple domains. Her work spans analyses of pandemic responses, ecological breakdown, industrial technology, and community organizing. A strong thread throughout her scholarship examines how prefigurative politics and mutual aid practices offer alternatives to mainstream approaches to social organization, particularly in times of crisis. Her research increasingly focuses on the intersection of technology, labor, and utopian thinking, particularly examining how automation and cybernetics might be reimagined through radical social movements. Among her significant recognitions: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), earned in 2017 ESRC funding for her MA studies Dr. Firth has secured research funding from multiple sources including ESRC, ISRF, EPSRC, HEFCE, local councils, and UCL Grand Challenges. She supervises MA dissertations annually and currently mentors one PhD student. Her professional activities include media engagement (such as appearing on BBC Radio 4's The Moral Maze), conference presentations, and serving as ECR Representative for the Utopian Studies Society of Europe. She is actively involved with research groups and networks focused on utopian studies, social movements, and critical pedagogy, contributing to the vibrant intellectual community around alternative futures and radical educational practices.
Dr. Niall Richardson is an Associate Professor (Media and Film) at the University of Sussex, part of the School of Media, Arts and Humanities. He previously taught at the University of Sunderland before joining Sussex in 2007. His academic roles include convening the MA Gender and Media program. Richardson's research focuses on minority group representations in film and media, particularly intersections with gender and sexuality. Key themes include LGBTQ+ representation, disability, transgender identifications, and ageing femininity in cinema. Education: He holds an M.A. from the University of St. Andrews, a P.G.C.E. from Queen's University Belfast, and two M.A. and a PhD from the University of Ulster. His scholarly contributions include monographs like Transgressive Bodies: Representations in Film and Popular Culture (2010) and Trans Representation in Contemporary Popular Cinema (2022), as well as edited collections such as Cross Generational Relationships and Cinema (2020). He has authored textbooks on gender, sexuality, and body studies. Research Interests: Richardson’s work critically examines queer cinema, trans representation, ageing in media, and cross-generational relationships. His analyses often address cultural stereotypes and the politics of identity in film and popular culture. Recent projects include studies on Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023) and representations of Muslim-drag in documentaries. Teaching: He teaches undergraduate courses on Cinema and Sexualities, Film Musicals, and MA modules like Gender and Representation and Cinematic Bodies. His pedagogical focus aligns with his research, emphasizing critical media analysis and intersectional frameworks. Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is noted, his collaborative work includes co-editing volumes and co-authoring studies with scholars like F. Smith and J. Gwynne.
Dr. Abeera Khan is a Lecturer at the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS University of London . Their work intersects queer theory, feminist critique, and postcolonial analysis, focusing on subjectivation processes in Muslim-majority communities and secularism debates. PhD in Anthropology from SOAS Research interests include: Queer Muslim Identity Formation Methodologies of Hope in Crisis Essentialism and Epistemological Violence Abolitionist Pedagogies Gender in Postcolonial Contexts
Syed Haider is a Lecturer in World Cinemas at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies, University of East Anglia (UEA). He is actively involved in research, teaching, and public intellectual engagement, with a focus on South Asian screen cultures, postcolonial theory, and identity formation through cinema. He is accepting PhD students and contributes to academic and public discourse through publications, conferences, and invited lectures. Academic Background: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Languages and Cultures of South Asia – SOAS, University of London Master of Arts in Intellectual and Cultural History – Queen Mary University of London Bachelor of Arts in English – Queen Mary University of London PGCE in English – Institute of Education Certificate in Spiritual, Religious and Cultural Care – University of East London Research Interests: Dr Haider’s research centers on the intersections of cinema, identity, religion, and postcolonialism. His work explores how aesthetic experiences in film—particularly Hindi cinema—can foster alternative identities that transcend rigid confessional or discursive boundaries. Key themes include Muslim representation in Bollywood, Sufi aesthetics, gender and sexuality, and the role of cinema in public sociology. Research Trends: His publications from 2010 to 2022 reveal a consistent focus on the representation of Muslims in Indian cinema, often through a postcolonial lens. He examines how films construct national identity, negotiate modernity, and depict religious and cultural alterity. His more recent work expands into pandemic-era cultural responses, spiritual humanism, and the sociological role of independent cinema. The articles show a deep engagement with identity, aesthetics, and critical theory, bridging film studies with sociology, religious studies, and gender discourse. Scientific Engagement: Regular presenter at international conferences such as IAFOR, British Sociological Association, and Film Criticism Conferences. Keynote speaker at events including the LATE Conference (BFI, London) and public lectures at institutions like Homerton College, Cambridge. Guest lecturer at universities including Westminster and Royal Holloway. Advising and Grants: Dr Haider is currently accepting PhD students and has supervised or mentored students through guest lectures and academic outreach. While no specific grants are mentioned, his research output and public engagement suggest active scholarly funding or institutional support. His work has been cited over 60 times (Scopus), indicating academic impact. Research Groups and Networks: He is a member of the Media Equality research group at UEA and participates in interdisciplinary networks such as Landscape Surgery (Royal Holloway). His collaborative work with scholars across the UK, India, and Saudi Arabia reflects a transnational academic presence.
Professor Yasmin Hussain holds the position of Professor in Racism Ethnicity Studies at the School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, where she has been affiliated since 1999 after initial work on disability and ethnicity projects. Her academic background includes: Doctorate from the University of Bradford examining British South Asian women's identity through literature and film. Her research spans critical intersections of racism, ethnicity, gender, migration, terrorism, Islamophobia, and higher education. Key projects include analysis of the 2001 urban riots, the 2005 London bombings' societal impact (with Professor Paul Bagguley), and the ESRC-funded 'Northern Exposure' study on Brexit's effects on ethnic minority communities in Northern towns. Current work focuses on systemic racial disparities through investigations of the awarding gap for students of colour and staff experiences within universities. Professor Hussain teaches specialized modules in her research domains and supervises undergraduate, Master's, and doctoral candidates. Her active PhD supervisees include Rehab Alotaibi, Ayesha Siddika, Iman, Federico Awi, R. Hariyani, and Susanti. Her research has secured funding from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), reflecting significant contributions to understanding race, gender, and social justice in contemporary British society.
Dr. Michael Talbot is an Associate Professor in the History of the Ottoman Empire and Modern Middle East at the University of Greenwich, affiliated with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences within the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He holds advanced degrees including a PhD and multiple prestigious fellowships (FRAS, FRHistS). His research focuses on global Ottoman interactions, with specialties in Ottoman-British relations, maritime history, and consular networks. Recent work examines Ottoman communities in Britain/Ireland and Ottoman-Algerian/Palestinian dynamics. Education: BA Hons, MA, PhD in History, Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE). He is an SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) and Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA). Research interests emphasize transnational connections, including Ottoman maritime territoriality, diplomatic practices, and colonial perceptions. He bridges academic and public history through BBC radio contributions and consulting for Netflix’s Rise of Empires: Ottoman . Scientific Recognition: 2018 BBC/AHRC 'New Generation Thinker' award for public scholarship. Media engagements include BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and expert commentary on Ottoman history for major platforms. Advising: Actively supervises graduate students in Ottoman diplomatic history, global interactions, and Middle Eastern studies. No current grants listed but maintains international archival collaborations. Engages in digital humanities through exhibition curation projects. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Ottoman Studies networks and the University’s Humanities Research Centre. Active in transnational historical research partnerships.
Sanjay Sharma is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM) at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on technologies of race and racism, data justice, and digital media's role in shaping racialized subjectivities. He holds a PhD in Race and Critical Pedagogy from the University of Manchester, an MA in Sociology from the University of Leeds, and a BSc in Electronics & Electrical Engineering from UCL, University of London. His current work examines AI ethics, algorithmic racism, and digital post-raciality. Key projects include analyzing surveillance-driven racial modulation and exploring Afrofuturist speculative design to reimagine AI. He has held academic positions at Brunel University, University of East London, and others. Research Interests : Racial assemblages in digital ecologies Algorithmic bias and data justice Anti-racist methodologies in tech critique Surveillance and security discourses Awards & Grants : WIHEA Fellow (2023–26) Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship (2019–20) British Academy Grant (2013) Advising & Collaborations : Supervises doctoral students on race, representation, and social inequities. Collaborates on projects like the BRAID Fellowship (2024–25) and the ESRC Digital Good Network (2023). Labs/Teams : Affiliated with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies and co-editor of the darkmatter-Hub platform.
