I was invited to take part of the Open for Discussion, an annual series of conversations convened by experts at the School of Advanced Study at the University of London that brings multidisciplinary humanities perspectives to bear on critical social issues — issues with human dimensions frequently overlooked in current policy debates. The 2021 series aim to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our panel discussed how during a ‘global’ pandemic, the capacity to learn from the experience of others and share knowledge across borders is essential, as is the need to recognise that linguistic and cultural marginalization in the UK risks further alienating communities at a time of public health emergency. Covid-19 has at once revealed and exacerbated pre-existing inequalities across the UK. The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people has been documented in reports by the director of Public Health London, Professor Kevin Fenton. This report identifies the need for culturally appropriate and cross-language communications for minoritized communities in the UK.
Convened by the Institute of Modern Languages Research, School of Advanced Study
See the recorded talk here:
Dr María Soledad Montañez 