An enigmatic polymath, Michael is many things to many people: an accomplished writer and theorist of city life, a local Labour politician and former Labour Leader of Tower Hamlets, an educator and lover of ideas and research and a patron of the arts and culture.
In a day of talks, panel discussions, creative performances and a party, Michael's unique talent and achievements will be celebrated by his intellectual friends, collaborators, political allies, visual artists and musicians with whom he has worked.
Michael is the Director of the PEAK Urban Research programme. Until October 2019, he was the Director of the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford (seconded until 2024). Before that he was the Director of the Centre for Urban and Community Research, Goldsmiths, University of London. He was, until 2021, co-ordinator of Urban Transformations (The Economic and Social Research Council portfolio of investments and research on cities) and is the Co-Director of the Oxford Programme for the Future of Cities. He is also a Co-Investigator of the ESRC Open City research project.
Michael is so much more than an academic, he has long been active in the voluntary sector and as a Labour politician for twenty years in the East End of London. He famously made George Galloway donate money to a local charity after he libelled Michael in a local political campaign. He also has several decades of experience in the voluntary sector, initially in organisations focusing on racism and the criminal justice system and more recently as the co-founder and chair of the Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, the largest multicultural arts centre in the UK, where fittingly this event will be held.
The day will include panels and discussions on topics including making places to learn and think, activism, organising and agitating the value of intellectual and political friendship. The event will end with an evening of music hosted by DJ John Pandit of Asian Dub Foundation.
The event takes place on Saturday 14th September, 3pm-10pm. To help us plan refreshments, tickets are split into three sections. You can book a ticket for the whole day (first option below). If you prefer to come to only part of the day, please book those specific sessions only, to help us plan refreshments. The sessions are:
3pm-4pm Arrival with food and drink
4pm-7pm Panels, discussions and celebrations
7pm-10pm Party with DJ set from John Pandit of Asian Dub Foundation