SOAS in the Media: December 2025

Labour Laws in India 

• Professor Ha-Joon Chang provided insights to Bloomberg, Business Standard India and Channel News Asia on the urgent changes required to labour laws in India.

Researching generations of family values and traditions

• Professor Jieyu Liu was profiled by South China Moring Post her new book and research that investigates relationships and traditional values across China. 

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia

• Senior Lecturer Ross Mittiga spoke to Thai Publication The Better on levels of safety and security amidst rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.

Benin and stability in West Africa 

• Dr Folahanmi Aina was interviewed by France 24 to unpack the attempted coup in Benin Republic, and the implications it has on security and stability in West Africa.

Archiving Gaza In The Present

• Professor Dina Matar’s book ‘Archiving Gaza In The Present’ was covered in article by Al Jazeera.

China and international relations 

• Director of the China Institute Professor Steve Tsang spoke to South China Morning Post on UK / China relations.
• Professor Tsang provided insight to NewsWeek and CNBC Indonesia on developments around the China embassy in London.
• Professor Tsang was interviewed by France24 on France's President, Emmanuel Macron's latest visit to China, and what it means for trade relations between the countries.
• Professor Tsang spoke to Wall Street Journal and NPR, discussing the Hong Kong fire alongside the looming elections across the nation.
• Research Associate Robbie Barnett featured in an article with South China Morning Post relations between China and India in regard to the Dalai Lama. 

Elections in Tanzania 

• Dr Nick Westcott wrote for African Arguments on the recent elections and strength of leadership in Tanzania.

Relations between Indian and Russia

• Director of the SOAS South Asia Institute Dr Subir Sinha was interviewed by France24 and CNN on Russian President Vlademir Putin’s recent visit to India – and how it can be perceived on the international stage.

Insights on Islamic Law

• Professor Mashood Baderin’s insights featured in article on Islamic law with Indian publication Financial Express.

Researching the Algiers 

• Research Associate Hakim Adi featured in Kenyan publication The Standard on the Algiers fight for independence.

An analytical book review

• Emeritus Professor Colin Schindler reviews an autobiography of Margaret Thatcher with Jerusalem Post.

Addressing racism and the far-right rhetoric

• Professor Olivette Otele wrote for Portuguese publication Publico on racism, and the potential risk of the silent majority becoming complicit with far-right rhetoric.

Reactions to the UK budget

• Researcher Alex Dryden wrote for The Conversation on How financial markets have reacted to the UK budget.

New Labor reforms in India 

• Dr Surbhi Kesar featured on Al Jazeera, discussing new labor reforms set about in India.

The livelihood of farmers in Zambia 

• Professor Stephen Chan, OBE was interviewed by BBC News, and BBC World Service on relations between Zambia and China, following toxic spills that have contaminated soil in the country.

More on China’s international relations

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang featured in a roundtable from The Royal Society of Asian Affairs to discuss geopolitics and economics across China.
• Professor Steve Tsang discussed the Hong Kong fire and looming elections with Bloomberg, The Washington Post, New York Times, Associated Press , The Independent and more.
• Professor Tsang featured Le Temps on the impasse of relations between Japan and China, in regard to Taiwan.
• Professor Tsang also spoke with ABC News Australia, and LBC News on UK and China relations, following the progress of the Chinese embassy being built in London.

The genocide in Gaza 

• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Achcar was interviewed by France24, to analyse and critique the US’s peace plan in regard to the genocide in Gaza.

Mining in Myanmar

• Researcher Dr Xu Peng shared insight with Undark on Myanmar, and illicit rare earth mining that is having ramifications in areas of the region.

Weapons technology across world nations

• Professor Dan Plesch wrote for The South China Morning Post on the rapid expansion of weapons technology that could be cause for concern across China, Russia and the US.

Mali and the Sahel region 

• Dr Tessa Devereaux featured on the Behind The Lines Podcast on the end of Western intervention in Mali and the Sahel region.

Resilience in sustainability 

• Dr Harald Heubaum featured in an article from Forbes on nations across the world building resilience surrounding sustainability efforts.

Addressing security in Nigeria 

• Dr Folahanmi Aina was interviewed by German publication DW around Nigeria’s security crisis. 

Bangladesh’s former leadership 

• Dr Avinash Paliwal featured with BBC News Marathi on the life of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Iran’s Gen-Z movement

• Researcher Dr Katayoun Shahandeh spoke to BBC Radio 4’s ‘World at One’ programme to discuss Iran’s Gen-Z movement in defiance of the country’s laws.

Exploring Buddhist landscapes 

• Dr Stephen Murphy’s book featured in the New Books Network podcast on Buddhist landscapes.