One of India's preeminent feminist writers and political thinkers has been invited to the University of Exeter to provide a series of talks and engagement sessions this month.
Professor Nivedita Menon will travel to Exeter and Cornwall as a Visiting Researcher at the University's Societies and Cultures Institute (SCI), delivering two keynote lectures and two discussions with postgraduate research students.
Professor Menon, from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, will draw from her most recent book, 2024's Secularism as Misdirection: Critical Thought from the Global South in the events, taking place between 25-28 February.
The Visiting Researcher's scheme is designed to bring outstanding, innovative and interdisciplinary researchers to the University's academic community, to share aspects of their work with diverse audiences.
Professor Menon is the third such academic to travel to Exeter thanks to the initiative, which was launched in September 2024, and her visit has also been made possible by the University's South Asia Centre.
Professor James Clark, Director of the SCI, said: "Exeter is delighted to be able to welcome Professor Menon. Her engaged research responds to so many current cultural, social and geopolitical challenges, her lectures are sure to inspire our students and staff and serve as a call to actions of their own. The aim of our Visiting Research scheme is to host Global Thought Leaders at Exeter and Nivedita's visit is an exciting addition to our expanding programme."
Professor Menon's first keynote lecture will be on 26 February, on the Streatham Campus, and will explore the intertwined issues around religion, state, women, and secularism. During the two-hour talk, she will explain how 'misdirection' is a key component when it comes to understanding secularism in the Global South.
The following day, Professor Menon will be on the Penryn campus for her second lecture, 'State, Religion and the Bodies of Women', during which she will explore assumptions surrounding the interplay between the three areas. And bookending these lectures will be sessions with students on 'India at 75', and on 'South Asian Studies'.
Dr Shubranshu Mishra, Co-Director of the South Asia Centre, said: "It's an incredible pleasure to host Nivedita Menon at the Centre. Her fearless critique of power structures and groundbreaking work in feminist theory have profoundly shaped debates on gender and nationalism in South Asia. We are looking forward to engaging with her and her new book on secularism.
"At a time when Exeter is increasingly focused on Global Studies, Prof Menon's visit will both help establish research links with the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University and point to new ways of developing critical research and pedagogy."
