Join Professor Jason Arday, the University of Bristol and The British Academy for an insightful exploration of one of the most seminal and divisive albums of all time.
On Thursday 21 November, acclaimed academic Jason Arday’s will present a lecture on Paul Simon controversial album Graceland and cross-cultural collaboration in music, as part of the British Academy’s flagship lecture series.
Tickets are free and open to students, staff and members of the public, but numbers are limited so reserve your place early to avoid disappointment.
Event information
17.00-19.15, Thursday 21 November 2024
Humanities Lecture Theatre, Arts Complex, 7 Woodland Road, Clifton, BS8 1TB
You can attend this event in person or watch online via livestream. Tickets for both options can be booked through Ticketpass.
About this lecture
In the early 1980s, Paul Simon’s career was in turmoil. Despite a long streak of success as a solo artist and as one half of the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel, he faced uncertainty in a rapidly changing musical landscape.
This lecture will explore what many consider Simon’s greatest work: the 1986, multi-award-winning album Graceland. Professor Arday will examine the artist’s decision to ignore the cultural boycott and the ripple effects of this choice, particularly on the Township musicians he collaborated with.
Was Simon simply a self-interested musical genius following his melodic ear, or was this a bold act of political defiance and cross-cultural collaboration?
The event will be chaired by Professor Esther Dermott, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University’s Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences.
Professor Arday’s talk will be followed by a drinks reception in the atrium.
About the speaker
Jason Arday is Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education.
He was formerly a Guest Editor on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme and listed 4th on the prestigious Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 in 2023.
Professor Arday previously held the position of Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Glasgow, School of Education; Associate Professor in Sociology at Durham University in the Department of Sociology; and Deputy Executive Dean for People and Culture in the Faculty of Social Science and Health.
He is also a Trustee of the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading Race Equality Thinktank, and the British Sociological Association (BSA), and sits on the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) National Advisory Panel, the NHS Race and Health Observatory Academic Reference Group and the ITV Cultural Advisory Council.
Professor Arday’s research interests and publications intersect across education, social mobility, mental health and race. In 2019, Arday explored race, music and 1990s popular culture in Cool Britannia and Multi-ethnic Britain: Uncorking the Champagne Supernova.
About The British Academy
From artificial intelligence to climate change, from building prosperity to improving well-being – today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, cultures and societies.
The British Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, engaging the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for the benefit of everyone.
Delivered by the most outstanding academics in the UK and beyond, the British Academy’s flagship lecture programme showcases the very best scholarship in the humanities and social sciences.
Accessibility
Please see the Accessable guide for the Arts Complex Building for specific information about the venue.
Data privacy policy
For information on how we collect, store and use the data you provide, please see our Events Team privacy policy.
Please be aware that filming, recording and photography will take place during this event for use on social media. If you do not wish to be recorded/filmed/photographed, please make yourself known to the event host.
Images: Michael Putland/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.