Panel Discussion on Social Exclusion with Hilary Silver and Aminkeng A. Alemanji

On Friday, March 14th, the Religion and Social Exclusion (RelEx) project organized a panel discussion on social exclusion, featuring Hilary Silver and Aminkeng A. Alemanji. The event brought together students from the Social Exclusion Master’s program, offering them the opportunity to engage with leading scholars in the field.

Hilary Silver is a member of the scientific advisory board of the RelEx project and a renowned expert in social exclusion, urban studies, and inequality. Her extensive research and publications have shaped the field, and she has advised international organizations and governments on social policy.

Aminkeng A. Alemanji, is the Head of the Social Exclusion Master’s program, specializing in anti-racism education and social justice, with a focus on policies and practices that address discrimination and exclusion.

The event began with a presentation by Peter Nynäs, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Research on Religion and Social Exclusion (RelEx), who introduced the project and highlighted its role in advancing research in the field. This was followed by the panel discussion with Hilary Silver and Aminkeng A. Alemanji. Hilary Silver shared key milestones from her career and reflected on the evolution of social exclusion research, engaging in an insightful conversation with Aminkeng A. Alemanji. She also provided advice for emerging researchers, highlighting areas in the field that remain understudied and offering guidance on navigating academic and policy-oriented research.

For the Social Exclusion students, this was a particularly meaningful event, as they had the rare opportunity to meet and interact with a scholar whose work they have studied throughout the program. The discussion not only deepened their understanding of social exclusion but also encouraged them to think critically about the future directions of the field.

The RelEx project extends its gratitude to both speakers for their time and invaluable insights and to the students who participated in the discussion.