Sam Johnson Memorial Lecture 2026 – Britain and the Refugee Crisis in the Long Twentieth Century: Why Labels Matter
Join Manchester Histories and the Manchester Centre for Public Histories and Heritage for the annual Sam Johnson Memorial Lecture on Tuesday 8 December 2026. Professor Tony Kushner will explore Britain’s historical responses to refugees, examining how language and labels have shaped attitudes towards those seeking safety.
In partnership with Manchester Histories, Manchester Centre for Public Histories and Heritage is delighted to host the annual Sam Johnson Memorial Lecture at Lecture Theatre 6, Geoffrey Manton Building, Rosamund Street West, on Tuesday 8th December 2026, 6-8pm.
This year’s lecture will be delivered by Tony Kushner, James Parkes Professor of Jewish/Non-Jewish relations, University of Southampton. Professor Kushner will be joined in conversation by Professor Gavin Schaffer, Pro Vice Chancellor of Research at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Britain and the Refugee Crisis in the Long Twentieth Century: Why Labels Matter
In the early decades of the twenty first century, there are over 120 million forcibly displaced people across the world, more than any other time in human history. This crisis has hardly been responded to at a humanitarian level. Indeed, it has largely been avoided by labelling these desperate people as ‘undeserving’. This lecture will show how this process of ‘othering’ through naming has a long history, yet it has also been subject to resistance from the early modern period onwards when the term ‘refugee’ was first coined. Whilst the situation in 2026 looks bleak, there are examples from history, this lecture will argue, that give hope for the future.
Hybrid Event Information
This is a hybrid event. We warmly encourage you to join us in person, where you will have the opportunity to meet Prof. Kushner and ask questions about his work.
For those unable to attend in person, please book your ticket using the TicketSource page. A link to join will be emailed to registered attendees in the days leading up to the event.
–> Book your place here <–
Accessibility
The venue is fully accessible. To help us make this event as inclusive as possible, please contact us in advance regarding any specific access requirements or support needs by emailing info@manchesterhistories.co.uk.
Photography
Please note, Manchester Histories will be taking photos during the event for marketing and promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be captured in the photos, please speak to a member of the Manchester Histories team.
