Democracy, Repression, and Resistance
The seminar series, Democracy, Repression, and Resistance, explores democracy and human rights in the 21st century and the things that challenge and undermine our understanding of democratic norms. Topics range from Palestinian feminism, authoritarianism, and the politics of consent in the Chinese diaspora, and activism in the wake of the climate crisis. Speakers have included Diana Fu, Loubna Qutami and Clark faculty Johanna Vollhardt.
2024-2025 speakers
Governing China’s Global Diaspora: Consent & Coercion
Diana Fu is associate professor of political science at the University of Toronto and a fellow at Brookings Institution, the Wilson Center, and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Her research examines popular contention, repression, civil society, and authoritarian citizenship in contemporary China.
Palestinian Feminism in the Time of Genocide
Loubna Qutami is an assistant professor in the Department of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and currently a visiting postdoctoral research associate in Palestinian Studies at Brown University. Qutami’s research examines transnational Palestinian youth movements after the 1993 Oslo Accords through the present. Her work is based on scholar-activist ethnographic research methods. Qutami is currently a member of the Palestinian Feminist Collective (PFC).
Counternarratives: Repositioning the News
A masterclass with Alexandra Bell
Alexandra Bell is an interdisciplinary artist who investigates the complexities of narrative production, consumption, and perception. Utilizing various media, she deconstructs language and imagery to explore the tension between marginal experiences and dominant histories. Her work has been exhibited at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, Charlie James Gallery, MOMA PS1, Whitney Museum of American Art, MCA Chicago, Spencer Museum of Art, MFA Boston, and We Buy Gold.
Civil Disobedience and Climate Activism: Resistance in Theory and Action
A conversation facilitated by Johanna Vollhardt
Dr. Vollhardt received a Ph.D. in Social Psychology (with a concentration in the Psychology of Peace and Violence) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology and is affiliated with CGRAS, CRES, HGS, and Peace and Conflict Studies.
Possible Futures: A Pre-Election Pop-up Installation
Fireside Lounge, Dana Commons
Co-sponsored by CGRAS and the Becker School of Design and Technology.
