19 June 2025, 14:00–15:30 BST
Led by the Centre for Language, Culture and Learning, Goldsmiths University of London
In this Informal Literacy Discussion, a panel of researchers and practitioners will draw from their ongoing work to explore the challenge question: what is the role of faith literacies and identities in times of crises? The panel discussion marks the celebration of this year’s Refugee Week with the theme Community as Superpower.
Why faith literacies and why now?
Faith is an important driving force in public life, and it is intertwined with the everyday experiences – including learning and literacy practices – of many individuals and communities. However, it is frequently overlooked, marginalised or even vilified. The normalisation of religiously motivated bias and violence alongside the proliferation of dehumanising representations or misrepresentations of religious communities offline and online underscore the urgent need for a renewed attention on the role of faith in shaping literacy practices, identities and agencies. This focus is even more significant in light of today’s intersecting crises – from the wars, conflicts and forced migration to climate injustice, global inequalities, persistent poverty and mental health challenges. How might faith play a role in the way individuals and communities ‘make sense of’ and respond to these urgent challenges?
This focus emerges against the backdrop of increased plurality and diversity of religious and non-religious beliefs, experiences and practices amplified by global migration and settlement patterns. The seminar is framed within a social practice approach to literacy and considers faith as a cultural practice that is historically situated and embedded in specific local and global contexts (Street 1984, Heath 1983, also Lytra et al 2016).
Panellists
Dr Naomi Thompson, Reader in Youth and Community Work, Goldsmiths University of London
Dr Ana Souza, Universidade Federal de Goiás and University of Brasília (Brazil), Oxford Brookes University and Goldsmiths University of London (England)
Samia Rahman, PhD Researcher, Goldsmiths University of London
Soheir Abaza, PhD Researcher, Goldsmiths University of London
Naeim Maleki, PhD Researcher University of East Anglia and BALID Committee Member
Discussant
Dr Vally Lytra, Reader in Languages and Education, Centre for Language Culture and Learning, Goldsmiths University of London
Chair
Dr Chris Millora, Lecturer in Education, Goldsmiths University of London and BALID Committee member