SOAS in the Media: August 2026
Explore the highlights of SOAS experts in the media discussing key issues and topics this month. For more updates, follow our SOAS press account on BlueSky (@soaspress.bsky.social).
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From an ELLE Indonesia profile to interviews with BBC Breakfast, CNN and DW, it was a strong week for SOAS voices. Our scholars contributed to conversations about human rights, the ODDESSI trial, Iran, Tibet, climate change, xenophobia, AI in education and more.
Here are the week’s highlights.
A standout profile in ELLE Indonesia
Elle Indonesia profiled Soe Tjen Marching, exploring her lifelong commitment to questioning official narratives, defending human rights and uncovering stories that have been intentionally silenced in Indonesia’s history.
New findings from the ODDESSI trial
Dr Russell Razzaque joined BBC Breakfast and spoke to BBC News about findings from the ODDESSI trial.
China, Tibet and regional diplomacy
Professor Steve Tsang spoke to The Guardian about how controls on information affect the assessment of flood damage in Tibet. His comments were picked up by The Times of India, BD Pratidin and Korean media Naver, among many other outlets.
As part of the launch of his new co-authored book ‘China's Global Strategy under Xi Jinping’, Professor Tsan was also interviewed live by CNN at the Shangai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and the political economy of war
Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam shared analysis with the South China Morning Post on newly negotiated deals around the Strait of Hormuz, following US economic sanctions on Iran.
Professor Adam Hanieh authored a piece published by Gauche Anticapitaliste on the political economy of the war against Iran.
Wildfires and Europe’s buried munitions
Following last week’s Associated Press coverage, Dr Sarah Njeri’s comments on climate change unearthing and reactivating unexplode wartime munitions appeared in L’Observatoire de l’Europe and We Got this Covered.
What is driving xenophobia in South Africa?
Adam Habib spoke to DW about what is driving xenophobia in South Africa. The full interview was reposted by UAZMI and WhatFinger.
Trade, Taiwan and Korea
Newsis covered Professor Ha-Joon Chang’s comments on free trade and South KOrea’s industrialisation era ‘managed trade’ approach.
Professor Dafydd Fell’s co-authored book ‘Green Party Taiwan: The First Thirty Years’ was reviewed in Commonwealth Magazine’s Independent Review.
Korean media Naver covered Dr Anders Karlsson’s keynote at the 2026 International Translators’ Summit in Seoul.
Memoir, memory and Iranian heritage
Dr Katayoun Shahandeh contributed to The Conversation’s round-up of perspective-shifting memoirs.
She was also featured on O Globo’s article on the destruction of human heritage in Iran after six months of war.
Everyday culture and AI in the classroom
Dr Fabio Gygi’s last month BBC World Service comments on removing shoes before entering a home were picked up by BBC Persian.
Risa Morimoto’s approach to encouraging students to write more personal essays to make them less reliant on AI was included in a WIRED en Español feature on the methods teachers use to identify AI-assisted cheating.
SOAS in the international conversation
Huashangzaixian published a piece describing SOAS as an ideal destination for students interested in the humanities and social sciences, international development, international relations and global issues.
SOAS Reader in Law Dr Gunnar Beck published an article on approaches to EU reform for the Institute for Conservative Economic Policy.
