Philosophies of Resistance Talks Series at People’s History Museum- March – May 2026 – Book Now!

The Manchester Metropolitan University Human Sciences Seminar Series is an invited speaker and research seminar organised by the Philosophy section of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Department of History, Politics and Philosophy

Free tickets for Manchester Met staff and students – email ahead@mmu.ac.uk for more details

The 2026 series, Philosophies of Resistance, will explore the philosophical thought that has resisted colonial, racial and carceral oppression.

The series aims is to question the role that philosophical ideas have played – and continue to play – in collective struggles for social justice, and human emancipation more broadly.

The 3 separate seminars will focus upon the philosophies of resistance to colonial, racial & carceral oppression by drawing upon theories and thinkers that have challenged global structural injustices,

The three seminars in the series are:

• Frantz Fanon & Stand Up to Racism Wednesday 25 March 2026, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
• Philosophy in Prisons Saturday 25 April 2026, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
• Human Rights & Resistance  Wednesday 27 May 2026, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Each seminar includes an academic talk followed by an ‘in-conversation’ discussion between the speaker(s) and a local political activist, and questions from the audience.

A 15-minute refreshment break is included.
Suitable for 18+

About the Human Sciences Seminar Series

Having started over 40 years ago by David Melling & Professor Wolfe Mays, the Manchester Metropolitan University Human Sciences Seminar Series was founded with the aspirations of exploring  human science from the viewpoint of critical philosophy. Organised by the Philosophy section of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Department of History, Politics and Philosophy, this series has invited a plethora of contemporary speakers and researchers to discuss their findings over the years. 

Some historical discussions have included Véronique Pin-Fat, of University of Manchester  on Cosmopolitanism and the End of Humanity: A Grammatical Reading of Post-humanism (2013) & Robert Chapman from the University of Essex – ‘Clarifying Clarification: Elucidating Wittgenstein’s Ethics through the Lens of Autism’

Paying homage to its origins, the 2026 series ‘philosophies of resistance’ aims to address the critical issues facing us at this time. The themes this year align with MMU’s 200 narrative of tackling inequalities.