SOAS in the Media: January 2026

Uganda’s elections

• Professor Phil Clark was interviewed by BBC News and DW following elections in Uganda, as Yoweri Museveni won for a seventh term.
• Professor of Practice Dr Nick Westcott featured on BBC News discussing the result of the elections in Uganda.

The Sahel region

• Dr Folahanmi Aina wrote for The Conversation on climate change and its interconnectedness with conflict across the Sahel region in Africa.

Human rights on an international scale

• Dr Nimer Sultany spoke to The New York Times regarding the writer and human rights lawyer Philippe Sands, and the current challenges facing international law.

A history on Iran 

• Emeritus Professor Dr Hassan Hakimian spoke to Al Jazeera on Iran’s economy, and it’s role in the country’s social and political protests.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam wrote for South American-based publication La Tercera, providing context to the social and political history of Iran.

Looking back on the Arab Spring 

• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Achcar wrote for Portuguese-based outlet Esquerda and was interviewed by International Viewpoint , providing insight 15 years on from the Arab Spring.

How political shifts affect India 

• Dr Avinash Paliwal wrote for Indian-based publication Hindustan Times on how political social economic shifts in the US have a carry-on effect on relations with the country.

Trading tariffs, the US and the World Economic Forum

• Dr Nick Westcott was interviewed by Times Radio, LBC and RTE Today, discussing the US’ announcement of tariffs over Greenland, the World Economic Forum, and wider diplomacy between the UK and US.
• Dr Westcott wrote a letter for Financial Times, on what the UK and EU should regard as their focus on international diplomacy.

Politics in Bangladesh

• Professor Mushtaq Khan spoke to Al Jazeera on the prominence of Jamaat-e-Islami, a rising political party in Bangladesh.
• Dr Saad Quasem wrote for Bangladesh-based publication Daily Star, exploring the importance of climate change being a foundation in the country’s governance.

More on China’s international relations

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang was interviewed by with The Guardian, LBC and French Language publications La Tribune De Genève and 24 Heures on the confirmed plans for the Chinese ‘Super Embassy’.
• Professor Tsang featured in an article from South China Morning Post on China’s position in regard to relations between the US and Venezuela.

Migration from Brazil to the UK

• Teaching Assistant Claire Marcel provided insight to BBC Brazil on migration from Brazilians moving to the UK, and their aspirations for employment opportunities.

Law and the EU

• Professor Costas Lapavitsas featured in articles from Times of Malta on the EU sanctions raised against former Swiss army intelligence analyst Jacques Baud.

Attitudes toward relationships in China 

• Professor Jieyu Liu wrote for The Conversation on the changing social attitudes towards relationships and sex in China.

Political and social changes in Iran

• Senior Lecturer Narguess Farzad spoke to Channel 4 News on the wider aspirations of young people in Iran seeking societal freedom in the wake of the social and political protests.
• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam spoke to DW on Reza Pahlavi – the exiled son of Iran last shah, who has become engaged in the country’s social and political protests.
• Professor Adib-Moghaddam also featured in a Metro article and with Radio HC, discussing Iran’s social and political protests, and the potential response/intervention from the US.
• In another article with the Metro, Dr Katayoun Shahandeh discussed foreign interventions, following the British Embassy’s evacuation from Tehran.

China’s political standing on the world stage

• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang appeared with German publication GT, Taz and the Room for Discussion podcast (via The University of Amsterdam) on China’s political position on the international stage.

Peace talks for DR Congo 

• Professor Phil Clark was interviewed by DW to discuss the recent peace summit in Zambia to resolve the conflict in DR Congo. 

Insight on the US and Venezuela

• Professor Steve Tsang was interviewed by France24, and featured German outlet Der Standard, RCI Radio – surrounding China’s position in regard to relations between the US and Venezuela.
• SOAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib Adam Habib shared comment with Financial Times surrounding Chinese, Russian and Iranian ships being sent to South Africa to undertake of naval drills, following the US military operations in Venezuela.

Responding to the US Policy on Greenland

• Dr Nick Westcott wrote for Encompass on the US’s policy around Greenland, and how Europe and the UK should respond.

More on Migration in Mauritania

• Dr Hassan Ould Moctar provided insight to Reuters on migration across Mauritania and the Canary Islands -  alongside the EU's migration control policies in the region. 

Elections in Bangladesh 

• Professor Mushtaq Khan featured in an article from Bangladeshi outlet Prothom Alo on the country’s forthcoming national parliamentary election. 

Water rights in law and policy in India

• Professor Philippe Cullet featured in an article from India Water Portal, giving a keynote presentation on groundwater rights in law and policy in India.

A new electoral candidate in Uganda

• Researcher and Teaching Assistant Michael Mutyaba provided comment to Al Jazeera on Uganda’s upcoming elections, and the campaign of the candidate Bobi Wine.

Taiwan's Sugar Railways

• Professor Dafydd Fell featured with Taipei Times, surrounding his new book ‘The Twilight Years of Taiwan's Sugar Railways’ – an insight into the nation’s industrial railway systems.

Japan’s history of the Otohime

• Dr Fabio Gygi wrote for The Pittsburgh Review of Books, on the history behind the Otohime - a device that has both cultural and social context in Japan.

Burma’s energy transition

• Postdoctoral Researcher Xu Peng provided insight to Internazionale on energy transitions in Burma.

The US and Venezuela

• Dr Nick Westcott was interviewed on LBC and Nigerian outlet Arise TV to discuss the US escalating occupation on Venezuela, and how international allies are reacting.
• Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang spoke to The Washington Post and featured in articles by The Independent  and Asia Sentinel on what the actions of the US occupation in Venezuela means for relations between China and Taiwan. 

Green futures and curbing environmental crises

• Dr Yannis Dafermos spoke to German publication Taz.de on efforts from the European Central Bank to curb climate and environmental crises.
• Professor Richard Kozul Wirght wrote for East Asia Forum on achieving a green and sustainable future across the global south.

New exhibitions at the SOAS Gallery

• Dr Benjamin Worku-Dix spoke on BBC Radio London’s Inspirit’ programme with Jumoké Fashola to discuss the forthcoming PositiveNegatives exhibition – ‘I Can’t Stand By’.
• The upcoming Mughal Banaras: Forgotten Histories in a Troubled Present exhibition in the SOAS Gallery was included in a new guide by Condé Nast Traveller. 

Migration in Mauritania

• Dr Hassan Ould Moctar featured with Reuters in a special report of the migration crisis in Mauritania.

Insights on international democracy and relations

• Distinguished Professor Rebecca Gould was interviewed by Global South Hub on liberal democracies across the world.
• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Achar joined Voice of Islam Radio on the drivers of instability across the world, and efforts to maintain peace on an international level.

Investment in Zimbabwe

• Research insights from Professor Antonio Andreoni and Lecturer Adria Ruis featured in South African publication South African Times on the intentions of Zimbabwe’s Mutapa investment fund. 

Politics and society in China 

• Professor Steve Tsang gave a panel talk at Gresham College on China's strategic goals and direction of travel, under the leadership of Xi Jinping.
• Professor Rachel Harris was interviewed by The Associated Press, and featured with Daily Mail on China and suppression of Uyghur music and culture.
• Dr Akanksha Awal wrote for The Conversation on the new phenomenon in China of young people hugging trees.
• Research Associate George Magnus wrote for The Guardian on Europe’s reaction and response to China’s movement in industrial policy and global trade.

Relations between China & Taiwan 

• Professor Steve Tsang was interviewed by Sky News and featured in a iNews article on relations between China and Taiwan, following military drills that conducted on the Taiwan strait.

Unravelling war crimes in Argentina

• Emeritus Professor Colin Shindler wrote for The Jewish Independent on Argentina revealing the files of war criminal Josef Mengele. 

Political movement in Bangladesh

• Professor Mushtaq Khan was interviewed by BBC World Service, discussing the political movement and political unrest in Bangladesh, following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman.

Scam economy in Myanmar

• Postdoctoral Researcher Xu Peng wrote for The Conversation, South China Morning Post and featured with Forbes Mexico on the latest wave of scams that are taking precedent in Myanmar.

The current state of higher education in South Africa

• SOAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib was interviewed by Times Higher Education on the current state of higher education in South Africa. 

AI-driven sustainability in the world of education

• Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam spoke to University World News on AI-driven sustainability in the world of education. 

The history around Nigerian Islamic scholars

• Professor Mashood Baderin featured in Nigerian based publication Punch, following his keynote address at the University of Abuja on the historical and significance of Nigerian Islamic scholars.

The constant evolution of language

• Dr Nada Elzeer featured with The Guardian on a recap of the publication’s editorial style guide in 2025.