LSST Elephant & Castle Lecturer Dr Dhaneswar Bhoi Presents on Indian Caste Dynamics at Oxford University

l-r) Aruna Mahananda, PhD Scholar in Criminology at the University of Essex, Asang Wankhede, D.Phil. candidate in Law at Oxford University and Associate Editor of the Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal, Dr Dhaneswar Bhoi, LSST Lecturer in Social Psychology, Professor Eleanor Nesbitt, Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick, Professor Jens Lerche, Emeritus Professor at SOAS, University of London and Syed Rizvi, Academic Dean of LSST Elephant and Castle and Dean of Learning & Teaching. Photo: LSST

Oxford University welcomed LSST’s Elephant and Castle Lecturer Dr Dhaneswar Bhoi for an erudite discourse on the pervasive and often insidious nature of caste dynamics in historic and contemporary Indian society. The event, which took place on 14 June 2024, delved into the nuances of caste through the lens of lived experiences and emotional resonances, as encapsulated in Dr Bhoi’s seminal and transformative work, ‘Caste in Everyday Life: Experience and Affect in Indian Society’. 

The event, co-organised by the Oxford Ambedkar Initiative and the University of Oxford, was an intellectual confluence of some of the most distinguished minds in sociology, psychology and South Asian studies. It was headlined by Dr Bhoi, a luminary in social psychology at LSST and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.  

Ali Jafar Zaidi, Deputy CEO of LSST, said: ‘We are immensely proud of Dr Bhoi’s contributions to the field of caste systems and social psychology and his unwavering dedication to shedding light on critical social issues. His research enriches academic discourse and offers a deeper understanding of the complexities of caste dynamics. Events like this underscore the vital role that scholarly work plays in addressing societal challenges and promoting intellectual growth. Dr Bhoi’s work exemplifies the calibre of scholarship we strive to support at LSST.’ 

Syed Rizvi, Academic Dean of LSST Elephant and Castle and Dean of Learning & Teaching, said at the event: ‘Dr Bhoi is a revered authority in the intricate domain of caste systems and caste experiences. His literary magnum opus titled, ‘Caste in Everyday Life: Experience and Affect in Indian Society’ is exceptional work that is poised to profoundly impact the multifaceted manifestations and experiences of caste within social life. We are delighted his work is now readily accessible to academics, researchers and students worldwide.’