Nominees for the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom (2024-2027)

James Eastwood

I am a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary University of London. My research focusses on militarism, settler colonialism, and race in Israeli society. My work in this area over many years has meant that I have witnessed at close hand the restrictions and threats to academic freedom that many scholars face when publishing, presenting, and commenting on the Middle East region and especially on matters related to Palestine. I have been particularly dismayed by the way this pressure is most often directed at early career scholars, women, and people of colour. I have been closely involved in efforts to support scholars in these situations, both within and beyond my own institution. In my capacity as a trade unionist and Co-Chair of the UCU branch at Queen Mary, I have experience in drafting letters of support for scholars, including most recently in the case of my colleague Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian. While carrying out this work, I have been particularly impressed by the role that BRISMES's Committee on Academic Freedom has played, and I would like to assist the vital work of the Committee by offering my skills and experience.