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22 October 2013: Successful first Professorial Inaugural Lecture by Professor Andrew Canessa

Professor Andrew Canessa kicked off the University's Professorial Inaugural Lecture series last night with an inspiring talk, in front of an enthusiastic audience, about his 20-year work on the people of Bolivia.

Chaired by Deputy-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jules Pretty, the lecture, Being indigenous in the 21st century: A Bolivian case study, explored what “indigenous” means in the modern world. Discussing his extensive field research on the people of Wila Kjarka, Professor Canessa looked at many issues including what being indigenous means, how this concept has changed over time and what the future might hold for indigenous people across the world.

Sparking interest and discussion from the audience of Professor Canessa's family, friends, colleagues and members of the public, the lecture provided an opportunity for some excellent questions on 'being indigenous'.

The Professorial Inaugural Lecture series continues on Monday 18 November with Professor Noam Lubell from the School of Law giving a speech titled ‘Robot Warriors, Terrorists, and Private Contractors: What future for the laws of war?’.