Lydia Ayame Hiraide

Political Studies and Political Sociology

Critical race and gender studies; social movements; environmental politics; 

My research takes an interdisciplinary approach to the key questions that we are grappling with around a changing climate, gender, identity and inequities, social justice, and the relationship between the Global North and Global South. I am interested in key debates in feminism, decolonial feminist thought and Black feminism, intersectionality studies, migration, environmental politics, and a comparative approach to social movement studies. I am motivated by questions relating to how discourses of race, gender, and intersectionality resonate across time and space – and especially in the context of a changing climate. The overall themes of my research can be summarised as: comparative approaches to social movement building and collective organising; Black feminist, de- and post-colonial approaches to politics; political ecology, climate and environmental politics; and the arts or creative/artistic ecologies.

My teaching philosophy is guided by a firm belief in the importance of the classroom not only as a site to educate but as an inclusive space in which to explore new ideas, challenge narratives which are taken for granted, and establish an engaged community. I am invested in supporting my students to develop critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems and master academic content. But I am also extremely keen to ensure that they develop the necessary skills to debate, listen, and learn to disagree constructively. My engagement in the classroom seeks to present students with questions and ideas that they can engage with through independent reasoning, critical thinking, and sensitive, collaborative discussion, and debate. This is supported by an emphasis on active learning, in a pedagogy which sees students as agents with the capacity to co-construct meaning through their engagement with bold ideas.

Goldsmiths, University of London
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Politics

University of Kent
Master of Arts (MA)
Postcolonial Studies

School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
Bachelor of Arts, Honours (BA, Hons)
Politics and International Relations

The classroom is a special place in which both students and teachers are committed to continue learning. I look forward to engaging with you in this setting and having fruitful discussions about big ideas together.