0105, 2015

The class of 2001: Where are they now? Professor Tony Allan finds out

By |May 1, 2015|2000s, 2010s, Challenging the status quo, Leading voices, SOAS in the world|14 comments

This week, Professor Tony Allan looks back on the work of the Water Studies Group as three of his former students talk about their studies, careers and contributions to international development. Professor Allan retired in 2002 and remains active internationally. He still specialises in the analysis of water resources in semi-arid regions and on the role of global systems in ameliorating regional water deficits. In 2008 he was awarded the

1704, 2015

What SOAS means to me: An interview with alum, Johnnie Carson

By |April 17, 2015|1970s, Leading voices, SOAS in the world, What SOAS means to you|0 comments

Johnnie Carson is a diplomat and Senior Advisor to the US President. He graduated from SOAS with a BA International Studies in 1976. Here, he shares his experiences of his time at SOAS and his aspirations for the School’s future. Read the stories and memories of alumni from the1970s and other decades by visiting the alumni pages on the SOAS website. Why did you choose SOAS as the place to

2603, 2015

The generation game: Interview with alum, Asad Zaidi

By |March 26, 2015|1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2010s, Leading voices, SOAS in the world, The World at SOAS, Uncategorized, What SOAS means to you|0 comments

This week, Asad Zaidi shares his thoughts on what SOAS means to him. Asad has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr Zawar Zaidi, who studied and lectured at the School before becoming a world authority on South Asia. How did you discover SOAS? I first arrived to study at SOAS in 2012 for my masters, but I had already heard of the School from my grandfather. He

1303, 2015

Jaina Studies at SOAS

By |March 13, 2015|1990s, SOAS in the world|20 comments

This week, Dr Peter Flugel, Reader in the Study of Religions, talks about the journey of the study of Jainism, and how SOAS has played a key role in the development of this field of study. Research in Jainism has a long tradition at SOAS. It is associated with eminent Indologists such as A.L. Basham, D. Derrett, P.S. Jaini, R. Williams and J.C. Wright, who during their spells at

2602, 2015

Lao She inspired me greatly

By |February 26, 2015|1920s, Leading voices, The World at SOAS, Themes, What SOAS means to you|55 comments

In this post, Dr Cui Yan of the Department of China and Inner Asia, shares her thoughts on Lao She, one of the first teachers of Chinese outside of China, and his legacy at SOAS… Lao She, a Beijing native and a Chinese language master, came to SOS (SOAS) to teach Mandarin in 1924 and worked here for five years. During his life, Lao She made great contributions to the

1302, 2015

The role of SOAS in 178 Years of Chinese Studies in the UK

By |February 13, 2015|1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, SOAS in the world, The World at SOAS, Uncategorized, Women at SOAS|0 comments

Exactly 178 years ago, in 1837, the University of London established the UK’s first-ever professorship for Chinese, heralding the founding of Chinese Studies in this country. The Chair of Chinese is linked to a collection of Chinese books donated to the University in 1834 by the missionary Robert Morrison. The “Morrison collection” lay at the basis of what is now one of Europe’s largest collections of Chinese books, held at the

3001, 2015

From Finsbury Circus to Senate House

By |January 30, 2015|1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s|19 comments

SOAS, University of London was founded as the School of Oriental Studies in 1917 and was based at Finsbury Circus. In 1938 it officially became the School of Oriental and African Studies and was based in Vandon House, St James’ Park. The School then moved temporarily to Cambridge during the Second World War. With next year’s opening of Senate House North Block due to usher in a new era, images

1601, 2015

Philip Jaggar (Emeritus Professor of West African Linguistics) – what SOAS means to me

By |January 16, 2015|1930s, 1940s, 1960s, Challenging the status quo, Leading voices, The World at SOAS, Uncategorized, What SOAS means to you|0 comments

I graduated in African studies (Hausa and social anthropology) in 1968. When interviewed, I was told that there was a place on the Hausa programme, a language I knew next to nothing about – pure chance! I subsequently travelled to northern Nigeria to conduct my anthropology research, and this also enabled me to learn more about the rich history of the Hausa people and the complexities of their language. Whilst

0512, 2014

SOAS centenary: Tell us what makes SOAS special

By |December 5, 2014|1940s, 1960s, Challenging the status quo, Exhibitions, Leading voices, SOAS in the world, The World at SOAS, Themes, timeline, What SOAS means to you, Women at SOAS|0 comments

In June 2016, SOAS begins a year (actually, 13 months!) of celebrations to mark 100 years of excellence in research and teaching. An exhibition in the Brunei Gallery called ‘100 years of SOAS’ will play a major part in these celebrations by showcasing the School’s achievements. On Tuesday 9 December, a 4-metre Timeline will be put up in the SCR. The Timeline was created in 2009 to engage our Honorary

SOAS University of London is the only higher education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.

The School of Oriental Studies was founded on 5 June 1916 when it received its Royal Charter as a college of the University of London.