In this season, we dive into the question of how academics and practitioners can come together at a time in which democracy and rights are under attack in many places. What can we learn from those working across these spaces on doing this well? 

In this third episode we have a very inspiring guest that brings a unique perspective on these issues and "refuses to box herself in". Marina Slhessarenko Barreto is a political scientist and writer affiliated with the Law and Democracy cluster at CEBRAP, one of Brazil's largest research centers and a PhD student funded by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. Born into a Ukrainian family with a legacy of pro-democracy activism, it may not be a surprise that she ended up writing a book called The Path of Autocracy, which dives into the challenges that Brazilian democracy faces, ánd proposes ways out of the ongoing autocratic cycle across the globe. Marina is a regular contributor to media, including on geopolitical matters that are so high on the agenda today.  We talk about the lessons from Brazil but also: Why is she so keen on bridging these different worlds and build networks of solidarity - especially as women in academia? What is borogodó and why is it relevant to 'speak to society' and collaborate well? And what gives her hope today?

This and more in today's episode. So please grab a coffee, your tea, and listen in on the conversation!

REQUEST: you are very welcome to share your reflections on this conversation with us via [email protected], as we are capturing this in a blog!

For more about Marina's work:
-The path of Autocracy EN summary https://laut.org.br/en/book-the-path-of-autocracy/
-Bloomsbury Handbook of Brazilian Democracy (feat 50 women scholars, forthcoming) https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/bloomsbury-handbook-of-brazilian-democracy-9798216392422/
-CCI-Cebrap https://cci-cebrap.org.br/en/about/
-Mapping autocratic actions https://agendadeemergencia.laut.org.br/en/ 
-Article on Ukraine https://ojs.uel.br/revistas/uel/index.php/seminasoc/article/view/51672/51585

About this podcast: In a time of crisis and fast change, the People vs Inequality podcast is a space to reflect and learn with changemakers on how to tackle inequality. The show is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer), and edited by Charles Rigga. 

This series was funded by the Atlantic Fellowship for Social and Economic Equity Programme at the London School of Economics as part of an academic-practitioner collaboration project. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme, the International Inequalities Institute, or the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

More about the podcast: https://peoplevsinequality.blogspot.com/

More about the AcPrac project: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.org/academic-practitioner-collaborations

Welcome to the People vs Inequality Podcast! In this season we dive into the question of how academics and practitioners can better collaborate at this time of great need. As more and more countries are facing democratic backlash, both civil society and academia are under attack. They are also in a unique position to defend civic space and human rights – especially if they find ways to come together. What can we learn from those working across these spaces on doing this well? How can academics show up for social movements and democracy alike?

In this second episode we have another great example of someone who is very effective in bringing together knowledge and practice, and with a sharp eye for power. Harriet Bergman is a philosopher, writer and researcher based in the Netherlands with a long history in social movements and therefore a unique position to bridge these worlds. What does climate obstruction have to do with democracy and what can academia learn from activists? This and more in today’s episode, after which we will also invite you to share thoughts and experiences.

So please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!

Resources:

- Bergman’s reflection “Earth System Breakdown Does not Care about Tenure Track” https://krisis.eu/article/view/40990/37852

-  About the ‘climate and emotions project’ of Stroomversnellers:
https://www.stroomversnellers.org/nl/under-the-weather-reports-and-reflections-on-the-climate-and-emotions-project/

- (In Dutch): on anger, climate breakdown and whiteness:
https://www.wetenschappelijkbureaugroenlinks.nl/tijdschrift/winter-2024/lauwwarm-witheet and about Climate Obstruction NL https://www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid-economie/waarom-wordt-de-wereld-maar-niet-duurzamer-en-eerlijker-machtige-partijen-houden-een-omslag-tegen~b6c859bb/

About this podcast: In a time of crisis and fast change, the People vs Inequality podcast is a space to reflect and learn with changemakers on how to tackle inequality. The show is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer), and edited by Charles Rigga. 

This series was funded by the Atlantic Fellowship for Social and Economic Equity Programme at the London School of Economics as part of an academic-practitioner collaboration project. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme, the International Inequalities Institute, or the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

More about the podcast: https://peoplevsinequality.blogspot.com/

More about the AcPrac project: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.org/academic-practitioner-collaborations 

Welcome to the People vs Inequality Podcast! In a time of crisis and fast change, this podcast is a space to reflect and learn with changemakers on how to tackle inequality. 

In this season we dive into the question of how academics and practitioners can better collaborate at this time of great need. As more and more countries are facing democratic backlash, both activists and academics are under attack. They are also in a unique position to defend civic space and human rights - especially if they come together. What can we learn from those working across these spaces on doing this well?

In this first episode we speak to someone who is particularly effective in bringing together knowledge and practice for real change. Liza Mügge is a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands who was recently nominated for a prestigious gender equality price. She’s well known for groundbreaking research ánd media impact in her field of gender and democracy. It's a great kick-off to the series that will hopefully leave you inspired to be brave and step into the unknown - because where else would change happen?

So please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation! 

Resources: 

More about Liza: https://www.uva.nl/en/profile/m/u/l.m.mugge/l.m.mugge.html#Ancillary-activities 

More about the research group https://politicsofdiversity.eu

Cartoons: https://pushbacklash.eu/dissemination/cartoons/

Toolkit theatre of the oppressed:  Tools of Resistance – Participatory Theatre against the Anti-Gender Backlash: A Toolkit for Universities and NGO’s

Men4dem project and reports: https://men4dem.eu/

Short summery of theatre experiment: https://men4dem.eu/news-events-in-the-media/radical-immersion-a-theatre-experiment-at-oerol

See also Instagram: @pushbacklash @beldan_sezen @MEN4DEM

**

See https://afsee.atlanticfellows.org/academic-practitioner-collaborations for previous work of the podcast host on 'AcPrac collaboration' as part of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Politics of Inequality project that also supported this podcast series.

Credits: The People vs Inequality Podcast is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer). This episode was edited by Charles Righa.

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme, the International Inequalities Institute, or the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Join us for a special episode in which we explore the role of arts and imagination in changing the script towards a more just and caring economy. It is increasingly recognized that narratives play a key role in how we understand and navigate the world, ánd in how decisions are taken that affect us all. As our economies favor the few and are increasingly unsustainable: How can we challenge the dominant narratives that hold us back (such as "economic growth is THE way")? How can we build and amplify alternatives that work for women and all living species? What are the conversations and approaches that could help us move towards a shared sense of what is also possible, based on diverse voices and knowledges?

Building on recent action research for Oxfam GB and decades of experience, Njoki Ngumi (artist, writer and feminist thinker), Rachel Walker (multimedia artist and campaigner), Elizabeth Maina (cultural practitioner and podcast producer) and Barbara van Paassen (strategic advisor and podcast host) dive into these questions. They make a case for more worldmaking and 'going deep, not wide', meeting every day people where they are at and localising the big shifts we would like to see. Why and how?

Please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!

Credits: The People vs Inequality Podcast is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer). This episode was edited by Charles Righa and is the result of a project Barbara and Elizabeth did for Oxfam GB. In that project they explored how conversations can help us shift narratives on the economy and mapped inspiring practices and conversations from across the globe. 

Resources and bios:

Report "Mapping Feminist Economic Justice Narratives": https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VGzQrtEHNidjqagkY-9BpjqJrsB23BPG/view  

More about Rachel and her work: https://rachelwalkerkonno.com/

More about Njoki: Dr. Njoki Ngumi is a non-clinical general practitioner and African feminist artist, writer, filmmaker, thinker and researcher whose wider health knowledge and related expertise has been critical in the creative sector and connected arenas, core among these being sexual and reproductive health, to enhance socioeconomic equity, and advancement for all, especially youth, women, and marginalised people. 

As democracy and civic space are under attack in many places across the globe we explore what solidarity means when basic rights are quickly eroded. In this final episode of the 'Let's talk about solidarity' series* we dive into what solidarity can look like when autocrats and anti-rights groups gain power, and some groups are hit harder or earlier than others? 

We do this with another two amazing guests, Akshita Siddula, community organizer and leadership coach from Baltimore, US, and Rafael Barrio de Mendoza Zavallos, researcher and Cambridge Phd candidate from Lima, Peru. 

What can we learn from what is happening in the US and Peru when it comes to who is affected and who is standing up? How can we foster solidarity and what role can it play in defending rights and possibly reimagining democracy altogether?

As many look at today's political developments with great concern, this conversation is timely and full of good ideas. So please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!

Resources:

More on Akshita's work: https://youtu.be/JoMbZVXogeo?si=kEzHxRxur1x6iy84  

More on Rafael's work: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2021/rafael-barrio-de-mendoza 

Blog Rafael 'Peruvian civil society is under attack': https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/peruvian-civil-society-is-under-attack 

*This episode is part of the People vs Inequality season ‘Let’s talk about Solidarity’ and a project of Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) trying to understand, critique and reimagine solidarity in these challenging times. See https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/afsee-incubation-labs-lets-talk-about-solidarity and https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbiB8gN2Q/KfaoUMAKBy0bnqEUv6dCQg/view 

Credits: The People vs Inequality Podcast is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer). This episode was edited by Charles Righa.

What does solidarity mean to people facing occupation, war, genocide even? And what can we learn from the past 1,5 years when it comes to standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine, and people being oppressed across the globe? No easy questions, but we are exploring them in this episode with three amazing women. 

Rana al Qawasmi is a Palestinian nutritionist and public health specialist, Lyla Adwan-Kamara is a Palestinian-Irish disability rights activist and leader, and Michaela Rafferty is an Irish youth worker and activist with a longstanding solidarity bond with Palestine. The three of them will reflect on their experiences with solidarity both within Palestine and internationally, and what we can all do to strengthen our solidarity practice. 

From local to international realities, finding a moral compass to addressing fear, and small scale action to systems change – this is an opportunity to learn and reflect. So grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!

*This episode is part of the People vs Inequality season ‘Let’s talk about Solidarity’ and a project of Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) trying to understand, critique and reimagine solidarity in these challenging times. https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/afsee-incubation-labs-lets-talk-about-solidarity   

Credits: The People vs Inequality Podcast is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer). This episode was edited by Charles Righa.

Resources - learn more about:

Rana: https://healthequity.atlanticfellows.org/fellows/rana-al-qawsmi/

Lyla: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2023/lyla-adwan-kamara 

Michaela: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2019/michaela-rafferty 

Their work and references in this episode:

Blog by Lyla https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/neutrality-solidarity-and-activist-sustainability-dialogue-for-palestine 

Atlantic Fellows for Palestine – Medium

BDS Movement | BDS MOVEMENT

https://gazasunbirds.org/ 

Solidarity action in Belfast Ireland;

-Big Ride 4 Palestine The Big Ride for Palestine

-Cycle for Palestine Ireland https://www.instagram.com/cycleforpal.ireland?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

-BDS Belfast https://www.instagram.com/bdsbelfast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

More about the Solidarity Incubation lab: 

Community reflections on solidarity - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbiB8gN2Q/KfaoUMAKBy0bnqEUv6dCQg/view

In a time of great injustice and a burning planet: what can we do to strengthen or reimagine solidarity? From grassroots action in post-apartheid South Africa, to India’s, Brazil’s and global movements for land rights, fossil fuel phaseout and climate just alternatives: what can we learn on what works and what doesn’t?

In this episode we hear from three wonderful climate justice activists and thinkers exploring this question. Najma Mohamed, Maduresh Kumar and Amanda Segnini bring a wealth of experience from different parts of the globe. They reflect on what it means when you move from local organizing to international science-policy spaces on development, nature and climate (Najma), Majority World alternatives building (Madhuresh) and global land rights campaigning (Amanda), and what we would hear if we would truly listen to grassroots movements.

Tune in for unique perspectives on the question of solidarity in times of climate breakdown and key ingredients for a more just world: from remaining authentic and accountable, to the importance of emancipatory political education and global spaces that challenge historic power imbalances and build solidarity in heart and head: this conversation gets to the heart of what isn’t working and what solidarity could look like. 

So grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!

Credits: The People vs Inequality Podcast is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer). This episode was edited by Charles Righa and supported by the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Programme as part of the Solidarity Incubation Lab aiming to unpack, critique and reimagine solidarity in these challenging times. 

Resources:

Blog on solidarity between NGOs and social movements (referred to in the episode) – Madhuresh Kumar https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/ngos-and-social-movements-partnership-or-solidarity/ 

More on the project “Let’s talk about solidarity” https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/afsee-incubation-labs-lets-talk-about-solidarity 

More on Najma’s work: 

https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/uneven-earth-policies-and-governance-for-a-just-and-sustainable-world

https://www.unep-wcmc.org/en/news/inspiring-a-whole-of-society-mindset-shift-on-water

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reconnecting-my-green-roots-najma-mohamed

 https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2023/najma-mohamed

More on Madhuresh’s work:

National Alliance of People's Movements India https://napmindia.wordpress.com/ 

Global Tapestry of Alternatives https://globaltapestryofalternatives.org/ 

https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2021/madhuresh-kumar 

More on Amanda’s work:

https://www.landrightsnow.org/ 

https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2021/amanda-segnini 

Join us for a new season of the People vs Inequality podcast on one of the biggest themes when it comes to changemaking and tackling inequalities: solidarity. Is solidarity in crisis or booming? What do we actually mean when we say solidarity? How can we unpack, critique, rebuild or reimagine solidarity in these times of great need? One step is creating the space to talk about it, to share our doubts, fears, frustrations, hopes, learning and more. This is what a group of Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity did over the past two years, resulting in a heartwarming process, a publication with community reflections and this podcast. 

In this episode you hear what we did, why it felt so valuable and what we found along the way. Amanda Segnini (climate justice activist & co-lead of the Solidarity Project), Ruby Hembrom (Indigenous Publisher, Phd-student & member of the project) and Barbara van Paassen (host & co-lead of the Solidarity project) talk about what brought them to this space, what solidarity means to them and what they learned in this time together – amidst so much violence and injustice in the world. Of course they also share their hope in moving forward practicing solidarity and simply being human.

In need of some inspiration? Please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!

Resources:

• PUBLICATION: COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS ON SOLIDARITY https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbiB8gN2Q/KfaoUMAKBy0bnqEUv6dCQg/view
•  “LET’S TALK ABOUT SOLIDARITY” ATLANTIC FELLOWS LSE BLOG https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/blogs/afsee-incubation-labs-lets-talk-about-solidarity 
• PEOPLE VS INEQUALITY BLOG AND TRANSCRIPTS https://peoplevsinequality.blogspot.com/ 
• MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
  • https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2021/ruby-hembrom
  • https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2021/amanda-segnini
  • https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2020/barbara-van-paassen

The People vs Inequality Podcast is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (creator/ host) and Elizabeth Maina (producer). This episode was edited by Charles Righa and supported by the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Programme as part of the Solidarity Incubation lab.

In a time of crisis and conflict, how can we find agency and work together across spaces in ways that contribute to a more just, caring and equal world? 

Join us for our very first LIVE recording, straight from the Politics of Inequality Conference at the London School of Economics in London, where we speak with the amazing Lyla Adwan-Kamara and Dr. Philippa Mullins. Two people bringing unique personal and professional perspectives to these questions, with a level of depth and care that we wish everyone to hear. 

Lyla is a Ghana-based Palestinian-Irish mental health and disability rights activist and leader who doesn't shy away from speaking out with great clarity. Philippa is a researcher and educator in disability and resistance studies with a clear vision for equity in knowledge production.

We talk about working from a place of hurt and joy, how to navigate these challenging times whilst recognizing the injustices we see are not new, what it means to stand in solidarity and address inequalities in our everyday life, work and the institutions we are a part of. We hear about the importance of rest and kindness, understanding and honoring our values whilst recognizing fluidity and mess, and - of course - being in community.

References coming up in the conversation: 

Tuck and Yang - Paris I Proof  

bell hooks - Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom 

Dionne Brand – “One enters a room and history follows; one enters a room and history precedes. [...] How do I know this? Only by self-observation, only by looking. Only by feeling. Only by being a part, sitting in the room with history.” From:  Brand, D. (2001). A Map to the Door of No Return: Notes to Belonging. Doubleday Canada

Esther Arma - Emotional Justice: A Roadmap for Racial Healing | Penguin Random House South Africa 

Philippa’s essay: Epistemic injustice and unwellness in the classroom: Creating knowledge like we matter 

Mimi Khúc - on 'a pedagogy of unwellness—the recognition that we are all differentially unwell' - dear elia, Duke University Press

Lyla's Memory Stitches - more information and pictures in this blog post  

Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) | https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/   

Politics of Inequality conference and programme  - https://www.lse.ac.uk/International-Inequalities/Research/Politics-of-Inequality 

More about Lyla: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.lse.ac.uk/en-gb/fellows/2023/lyla-adwan-kamara 

More about Philippa: https://www.lse.ac.uk/International-Inequalities/People/Philippa-Mullins/Philippa-Mullins 

This podcast is a joint production of Barbara van Paassen (creator, host), Elizabeth Maina (producer) and Alex Akenno (editor). For more information see https://peoplevsinequality.blogspot.com/ or contact us at [email protected]. 

This episode was supported by the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity.

We are excited to present to you the long overdue final episode of our season on Food Justice! And trust us, it is worth the wait :)

Our current global food system is highly unequal and unsustainable and, compounded by conflict and climate change,  hunger has risen sharply over the past years. We have heard in previous episodes how farmers, communities and movements are building sustainable alternatives like agroecology. What can funders do to address the broken food system and truly support those on the frontline to create systemic change? Join us for this episode to learn more from one of the most groundbreaking and loving funders: Thousand Currents.

We speak to director Solomé Lemma about her drive to address inequalities in the global development and social justice space by changing who is funded and how they are funded. By putting communities and movements at the centre, supporting them longterm and flexibly with money and more, and taking other funders on board. We hear about the amazing work of women farmers organizing in West-Africa and how Thousand Current navigates these challenging times.

After hearing in earlier episodes how farmers organizing, corporate power campaigners and feminist researchers are pushing the boundaries in a challenging context, this episode is a heartwarming conversation on what can actually be done to help movements build towards a just and sustainable food system. 

Learn more about the work of Thousand Currents:
Their website https://thousandcurrents.org/
LinkedIn account and email sign up form

Nous Sommes La Solution: https://thousandcurrents.org/partner/nous-sommes-la-solution/ 

About the People vs Inequality Podcast:
Creator and host - Barbara van Paassen
Producer - Elizabeth Maina
Editor - Alex Akello
You can contact us at [email protected] 
And find more at https://peoplevsinequality.blogspot.com/