Dr Katy Sian is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of York. She completed her PhD in 2009 at the University of Leeds, School of Sociology and Social Policy. Katy has held visiting research posts at the University of California Humanities Research Institute, USA, and the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria, Canada. Katy is the author of: Navigating Institutional Racism in British Universities (2019), Conversations in Postcolonial Thought (2014), Unsettling Sikh and Muslim Conflict (2013), and co-author of, Racism, Governance, and Public Policy (2013). Her research interests include, postcolonial studies; critical race theory; Sikh studies; Islamophobia and the war on terror; and religion, migration and identity. She serves on the steering committee for Northern Police Monitoring Project, a grassroots organisation working with local communities facing police brutality and racism. Katy is a dedicated anti-racist campaigner and also serves as Women's Officer for momentum Leeds.
1 Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
My parents are both Sikh and migrated from East Africa to Britain, settling in Leeds where my siblings and I were born. Leeds has always been the place that I consider home. I pursued all my higher education at the University of Leeds; it is a vibrant and diverse city.
2 What are your proudest achievements?
The publication of my book, Navigating Institutional Racism in British Universities is one of my proudest achievements. Following the release of the book, I was invited to present the findings in Parliament to Labour MPs who were very supportive of the research. This was a high point of my career.
3 What inspires you?
I am always inspired by those involved in the anti-racist movement both past and present, and local and global, fighting for social justice and a more equal and fair society for all. The collective vision for a better world,and a future free from hate and discrimination is energising.
4 What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
The biggest obstacle in my career has been working in a sector whereby people of colour are grossly under-represented. Less than 1 per cent of professors in this country are black, as such there remains widespread forms of institutional racism across universities. It is disappointing that in 2019 these barriers persist.
5 Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My work is informed by many different scholarly and activist traditions, therefore the works of civil rights leaders such as Malcolm X, anti-colonial scholars like Frantz Fanon, black feminists such as Angela Davis, and postcolonial writers including Edward Said have all been greatly influential to my work and thinking.
6 What is the best aspect about your current role?
The best aspect of my role is researching areas that I am passionate about, and teaching students to think critically and creatively about social issues. As a scholar-activist I also enjoy working collaboratively with third sector organizations, this allows me to take my research beyond the confinements of academia.
7 And the worst?
The nature of the work that I do centres upon challenging racism and discrimination, and this in itself can bring about many different responses in people, both positive and negative. The worst aspect of my role is therefore often being subjected to online hate and harassment, it can be exhausting!
8 What are your long term goals?
My longer-term goals would be to continue to develop my critical, anti-racist scholarship and voice. I hope that my work will continue to resonate with marginalized people and make a difference.
9 If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would change the curriculum in schools and universities to ensure that they represent black history and the contribution of BAME people to the history, present and future of Britain. There continues to be misunderstanding around these issues, which I think can be corrected via more diverse and inclusive teaching.
10 If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
This is really difficult, but I would probably have to say anti-colonial revolutionary Bhagat Singh. I would be particularly interested in talking politics with him, and reflecting on his remarkable, brave, and fearless journey.
