Part of the Lifelong Fellowship portfolio, the Scholars’ Library is a monthly book talk series, open to Scholars and the general public. In each event, Scholars present, discover and debate their literary works with those in the community and beyond.
Join the Scholars' Library mailing list to hear about upcoming events and availability of recordings of previous events.
On 4 December event, Dr Joy Buolamwini (Tennessee & Jesus 2013), in conversation with Meredith Ross-James (New Zealand & University 2025), will discuss her book Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machine.
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Jaz Brisack (Mississippi & Wadham 2019), in conversation with Shruti Iyer (India and St Antony’s, 2019), discusses their book Get on the Job and Organize: Standing Up for a Better Workplace and a Better World. With an accessible tone, a deep love of labor history, and profound empathy, Brisack puts recent efforts into the context of Americans’ long tradition of organizing.
In Moral Debt, Brian Wong (Hong Kong & Balliol 2020) draws upon methods of political theory, empirical politics, legal philosophy, and applied ethics, to advance the novel account of Collective Moral Debt Reparative Justice.
Gladys Ngetich (Kenya & Oriel 2015) talks about her book Awaken Your Potential: 9 Practical Tools to Be Invincible. It is an exploration of 9 powerful tools to help you unlock the version of yourself you’ve been quietly longing to meet. These tools include turning setbacks into comebacks, taking intentional risks, and overcoming fear and imposter syndrome.
In Mindset Matters, Dan Porterfield (Maryland & Hertford 1984) advances a powerful new argument about the value of residential undergraduate education and its role in developing growth mindsets among students
Andrew (Illinois & Pembroke 1977) talks about his trilogy of thrillers set in 1930-40s United States, his prescient novel on AI-generated poetry, and his 1990s political satire that was only published 15 years later.
In Fearless Speech, Mary Anne Franks (Louisiana & Wadham 1999) emphasizes the distinction between what speech a democratic society should protect and what speech a democratic society should promote.
In How Not to Die (Too Soon), Devi Sridhar (Florida & Wolfson 2003) talks about holding governments accountable for policies that can significantly extend our lifespans, shifting the focus from individual responsibility to societal accountability.
In Key to the City, Sara Bronin (Texas & Magdalen 2001) demystifies the power of zoning; an inscrutable organizing force in our lives and invites us to see zoning as a revolutionary vehicle for change!
In South Pole, Elizabeth Leane (South Australia & Magdalen 1995) explores the important challenges that this strange place poses to humanity. What is its lure? How and why should people live there? How can creative artists respond to its apparent blankness? What can it teach us about our planet and ourselves?
In the ground-breaking The Science of Racism Professor Keon West cuts through the divisive anecdotes and rhetoric with decades’ worth of clear, factual, rigorous, quantitative science, to reveal truths about racism that are shocking and tragic, but also (somehow) funny and entertaining.
Ron (Missouri & Balliol 1967) discusses his series of "cosy mystery" books, the Sleuthing Silvers, and The Pilfered Papyrus, based on a real-life academic scandal at Oxford.
David which tells the story of his journey from atheism to Christian faith, through a series of encounters that force him to reconsider his view of the world, religion and the nature of human knowledge.
Robert discusses his latest book, The Revolutionary Temper, the 40th anniversary of his seminal work, The Great Cat Massacre, memories of his time in Oxford, and his work with the Digital Public Library of America.
Infused with magical realism, this story blends first love and political intrigue with a quest for justice and self-determination in 1930s Haiti. Nadine (Connecticut & St John's 1986), the daughter of Haitian immigrants, is a poet, author, editor, translator, and education consultant.
Eric (Washington & Magdalen 1970) is a Seattle-based writer, lawyer, and climate activist who for decades has loved the Big Island of Hawaii, its history, and its people. He is a former contributing editor of Rolling Stone and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other publications. He joined us to discuss his novels Bones of Hilo and Death in Hilo.
Mervyn (Jamaica & St Edmund Hall 1958), reads poems from his collection Peelin Orange, and talks about his career, his study of "mixed Englishes", and his time as Poet Laureate of Jamaica.
No complete history of black women physicians in the United States exists, and what little mention is made to these women in existing histories is often insubstantial or altogether incorrect. Jasmine (Missouri & Hertford 2018) tells the stories of these doctors from the perspective of a black woman in medicine, what she uncovers about these women’s struggles and their need to work twice as hard and be twice as good.
Cristina (North Carolina & Wadham 2004) talks to us about her recently-published anthology of plays, bringing together the community of Rhodes Scholars in the creative arts, and performs poems from her collections.
“Where are you from . . . ? No—where are you from from?” It’s a question every Asian American gets asked as part of an incessant chorus saying you’ll never belong here, you’re a perpetual foreigner, you’ll always be seen as an alien, an object, or a threat.
Damon (New Zealand & Oriel 1997) is the Vice-Chancellor of the Auckland University of Technology. He is an interdisciplinary scholar who works on Oceania, especially history, politics and culture. Here he discusses his book, An Indigenous Ocean: Pacific Essays, which offers new perspectives on this vast ocean – its people, its cultures, its pasts and its future.
Robert (New Jersey & University 1957) discusses the milestone of his Conflict Mitigation Newsletter reaching 300 issues, and how the world has become more lawless in the two and a half years of the newsletter. He also talks about Grand Corruption, and looks back on his 1988 biography of Cecil Rhodes.
The Honourable Malcolm Turnbull AC (New South Wales & Brasenose 1978) discusses his time as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister (2015-2018) and recollections from his time at Oxford, and shares insights in the state of global politics today.
John (British Columbia & Hertford 1967) reads his poetry and talks about the inspiration for his writing and painting. We discuss his love of Greek poet, Sappho, Roman cookery, and a gift left by the herd of elk who visit his quince farm on Vancouver Island.
Maureen (Illinois & New College 1999) discusses her journey writing the book, the challenges of authentic neuroinclusion and the role it stands to play in the age of artificial intelligence, and ways in which to build a universal empathy network where the broadest possible range of cognitive diversity is celebrated as an asset.
Robert Calderisi (Québec & St Peter's 1968) discusses his new biography of Cecil Rhodes, what he learned from 3 years of research into Rhodes, advice for Scholars grappling with the legacy, and examples of other controversial statues.
Joseph Nye (New Jersey & Exeter 1958) discusses his new memoir A Life in the American Century. In conversation with fellow Scholar Ziyi Wang (China & Queen's 2021), Joseph talks about power and political leadership, his personal journey between Harvard and Washington, life in Oxford in the late 50's, and how US academia and government have changed over the years.
Jonathan Shapiro (California & Oriel 1985) discusses his newest book How to be Abe Lincoln: Seven Steps Toward Leading a Legendary Life with Lucas Tse (Hong Kong & Hertford 2018). Does Lincoln still matter? Why is laughter the first step to being Lincoln? and how would Lincoln handle our current political climate?
Geza (Ontario & St Catherine's 1972) discusses his three memoirs, For the Children, The Expo Affair and The Fencers. All three books in this trilogy of narrative memoirs are true stories of escape attempts Geza was involved in during the Cold War. They are gripping tales of bravery and the will to survive and achieve a better life in a free country and are particularly relevant today with the brutal Russian aggression in Ukraine, and the similar plight of many Ukrainian refugee families.
Jennifer (Australia-at-Large & Balliol 2006) discusses her book Silenced Women: Why The Law Fails Women and How to Fight Back (previously published as How Many More Women?) with Scholar in Residence Maisy Bentley (New Zealand & Balliol 2023). Jennifer talks about censorship against women, the #MeToo movement, and how we might begin to understand the problems of gender-based violence in our society.
Max (South Africa-at-Large & Magdalen 1980) discusses his book Statues and Storms. In conversation with Nomfundo Ramalekana (South Africa-at-Large & Lady Margaret Hall 2015), Max talks about protests, protest movements and how this has changed over recent years, the removal of the Rhodes statue at UCT as well as the relationship between leadership and making tough decisions.
Charalee (Prairies & Wadham 1982) discusses her books on law, climate change and art and how the Paris Agreement and COP conferences have influenced her work.
