Lectures, Debates and Podcasts

Summary

All items listed in the REAL resource bank were suggested by research participants of the ‘Exploring Race and Ethnicity on Social Science Degree Programmes’ project, or colleagues at University of Brighton, as resources they had found useful in their own teaching. They are not intended as definitive recommendations from the project team, and readers should make their own judgements as to which items would be most useful and appropriate for their needs. Similarly, the short summaries of each listed item are meant as approximate indicators rather than comprehensive synopses and should act primarily as a starting point for further exploration.

Adichie, C.N. (2022) ‘Freedom of speech’ [Lecture]. The Reith Lectures: The Four Freedoms.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s lecture examines freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democracy, emphasizing the responsibility that accompanies it. She explores how speech can both empower and harm, advocating for thoughtful dialogue that considers diverse perspectives while challenging oppression, discrimination, and societal inequalities.

Crenshaw, K. (2016) ‘The urgency of intersectionality’ [Lecture].

Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk (2016) highlights intersectionality, showing how race and gender biases intersect to amplify discrimination. She urges recognition of overlapping systems of exclusion, emphasizing the need to bear witness and advocate for those affected by multiple forms of prejudice, fostering awareness and action against compounded inequalities.

 Fuerst, I.M. & Goodwin, M. (2020) Keeping It 101: A Killjoy’s Introduction to Religion [Podcast]. Various episodes.

Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst and Megan Goodwin explore religion and religious diversity in everyday life, examining its intersections with race, gender, class, ability, and sexuality. The podcast helps listeners understand why religion matters socially and culturally, offering accessible insights even for those who think they’re “done with religion.”

Kelley, R.D.G. (2017) ‘What is racial capitalism and why does It matter?’ [Lecture].

Racial capitalism, as explored by Robin D. G. Kelley in this wide-ranging lecture, is presented as a global system rooted in colonialism, dispossession and racialized labour. Kelley links historical processes to contemporary inequalities, illustrating how capitalism depends on racial hierarchy while urging deeper attention to gender, land, value and resistance.

 Lamb, P. (2018) ‘Podcast 137: Why is it so hard to talk about BAME?’ [Podcast]. The CIPD Podcast (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), June 5.

This podcast explores why discussing race in the workplace is more difficult than gender, despite rising BAME workforce representation. Experts highlight unfamiliarity, fear of offending, and systemic biases as barriers. Solutions include challenging assumptions, fostering honest dialogue, accountability, sponsorship, inclusive recruitment, and mandatory reporting on ethnic pay and progression to drive equity.

Lea, R. (2019) ‘Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism?’ [Podcast]. The Guardian Books Podcast, March 26.

Richard Lea explores why white people often struggle to discuss racism, featuring Robin DiAngelo as she explains her concept of “white fragility” and how societal conditioning shapes unconscious biases. The episode also includes Margaret Busby discussing New Daughters of Africa, celebrating and amplifying Black female writers across generations.

McIntosh, P. (2012) ‘How to recognize your white privilege — and use it to fight inequality’ [Lecture]

Peggy McIntosh’s lecture explores white privilege as an invisible, systemic advantage experienced by white people. She encourages individuals to recognize these unearned benefits in daily life and leverage that awareness to challenge inequality, promoting active anti-racist practice and supporting equity across social, educational, and professional contexts.

Nwonka, C.C. (2025) ‘In conversation with Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey’ [Podcast]. UCL Sarah Parker Remond Centre Podcast, May 2.

Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka hosts Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey in a podcast discussing her memoir Eight Weeks: Looking Back, Moving Forwards, Defying the Odds. They explore her journey from foster care to the House of Lords, highlighting her work in arts, cultural studies, activism, and campaigns on modern slavery and ethical fashion.

 Oxford Union (2017) ‘British education perpetuates racism’ [Debate]. March 2.

Oxford Union hosted a debate titled ‘British education perpetuates racism’ on 2^nd March 2017, discussing how the UK education system may reinforce racial inequalities, biases in curricula, and structural barriers affecting students from ethnic minority backgrounds. The debate found in favour and the motion was carried.

 Powell, E. (1968) ‘Rivers of Blood’ [Transcript of speech].

Enoch Powell’s 1968 “Rivers of Blood” speech controversially warned against immigration from Commonwealth countries, predicting social unrest and racial tension in the UK. The speech is widely condemned for its racist rhetoric, fuelling xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment, and remains a significant reference point in discussions of race, politics, and public discourse in Britain.

Rabiger, P. (2025) ‘50 years of race and education’ [Lecture].

Penny Rabiger, an Independent Consultant and Lead Anti-Racist Award Coach, reflects on her experiences in education and anti-racist work. She traces 50 years of UK race and education policy, linking colonial legacies to structural racism in schools, and situates her discussion within critical race theory and critical whiteness studies, offering guidance for schools to develop anti-racist praxis.

Race, The Floating Signifier (1997). Transcript of programme with Sut Jhally, including interview and lecture excerpts from Stuart Hall. Media Education Foundation.

This transcript explores Stuart Hall’s concept of race as a “floating signifier”, emphasizing that racial categories are socially and culturally constructed rather than biologically determined. Hall argues that racism persists because culture assigns meaning to physical differences, shaping beliefs, behaviours, and prejudices. Understanding these discourses is crucial to effectively challenging racism.

UK Parliament (2020) ‘Debate: Black History Month’, October 20 (Parliamentary debate].

This UK Parliamentary debate on Black History Month highlights the importance of recognising and celebrating the contributions of Black Britons. Members discussed the need for education on Black history, tackling systemic racism, promoting equality, and ensuring that Black History Month informs policy and public awareness across the UK.