OHA, QATAR — Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) is set to host an important and highly anticipated lecture by Bilge Yesil, a distinguished scholar in global communication, on February 12, 2025. This event will mark the second installment of the annual NU-Q Lecture on the Global South, which brings together experts and thought leaders to examine crucial issues facing the world today. Yesil’s lecture, titled “How (Not) to Decolonize: Theorizing Media and Communication from the Global South,” will explore the evolving media and communication landscape through the lens of decolonization, shedding light on the complexities surrounding global media power dynamics.
An Insightful Exploration of Global Media Dynamics
In this highly anticipated lecture, Bilge Yesil will delve into the challenging process of decolonizing media studies, offering a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the power structures that shape global communication. Yesil will focus on the intersections between the Global South and the Global North, examining how these regions contribute to the narratives surrounding media, culture, and power. The lecture aims to engage critical thinkers and scholars in a broader discussion on how traditional media practices, historically dominated by the Global North, are being challenged by voices emerging from the Global South.
Yesil’s approach will seek to answer key questions about the role media plays in perpetuating or dismantling colonial legacies. She will reflect on how Western-centric models of communication have shaped global media systems and offer alternatives that draw upon the cultural and political contexts of the Global South. Through this lecture, Yesil aims to challenge the audience to reconsider the ways in which decolonization can be understood and applied in the contemporary media landscape.
A Powerful Platform for Reflection and Dialogue
The lecture will take place in the Events Hall at Northwestern University in Qatar’s state-of-the-art campus in Education City, Doha. The event is expected to draw a diverse audience of students, faculty members, scholars, media professionals, and members of the public. Following the lecture, there will be a reception, providing attendees an opportunity to engage further with Yesil and other experts in the field.
This event is part of the ongoing efforts of the Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South (IAS_NUQ), which hosts the NU-Q Lecture series. This initiative is dedicated to fostering critical engagement with global issues, particularly those that pertain to the intersections of media, culture, and power from a Southern perspective. The lecture series seeks to open up conversations around the complex challenges and opportunities emerging in the Global South and their impact on global communication and governance.
About Bilge Yesil
Bilge Yesil is a globally respected scholar with deep expertise in media systems, authoritarianism, and the dynamics of internet policy. She is a Professor of Media Culture at the College of Staten Island and an Affiliate Faculty Member in Middle Eastern Studies at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center. Yesil’s work focuses on global media practices, with an emphasis on the media systems of the Global South and the role of communication in shaping geopolitical power structures.
Yesil is the author of “Talking Back to the West: How Turkey Uses Counter-Hegemony to Reshape the Global Communication Order” (2024), which explores how Turkey has used media strategies to challenge Western dominance in global communication. Additionally, she co-edited the comprehensive volume “The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East” (2023), which brings together diverse perspectives on the role of media in Middle Eastern societies.
Her extensive research has garnered international acclaim, and her work continues to shape discussions on media practices, particularly in the context of emerging global power shifts. Yesil’s scholarship provides invaluable insights into the role of communication in both reinforcing and resisting global power structures.
Event Details
Date: February 12, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM (Lecture) | 6:30 PM (Reception)
Location: Events Hall, Northwestern University in Qatar, Education City, Doha
Registration: Free, but advance registration is encouraged.
The event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to register early to secure their place. The lecture promises to be an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience, offering a deep dive into the critical issues of media, culture, and communication in the modern world.
The Significance of the Lecture Series
The NU-Q Lecture on the Global South is part of Northwestern Qatar’s ongoing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and dialogue on global issues. Marwan M. Kraidy, the Dean and CEO of Northwestern University in Qatar, has underscored the importance of bringing scholars like Yesil to the region to engage with pressing global challenges. According to Kraidy, “Bilge Yesil’s insights into the role of media and communication in global power structures will be invaluable for our students, faculty, and community members. Her lecture will address the need for a more inclusive and equitable media landscape, one that reflects the diversity of voices in the Global South.”
By hosting this lecture, NU-Q is reinforcing its role as a key player in global conversations on media, communication, and decolonization. The lecture series provides a platform for emerging scholars, seasoned academics, and the general public to critically engage with issues of global importance.
Decolonization of Media Studies: Why It Matters
The process of decolonization has become a significant topic in media and communication studies. As global power structures continue to shift, scholars are increasingly questioning the colonial legacies embedded in media systems and communication practices. The dominance of Western narratives and perspectives in global media has long shaped the way people across the world perceive issues related to culture, politics, and identity.
Yesil’s lecture will tackle these issues head-on, offering an important opportunity to reflect on how communication systems can be transformed to better represent diverse voices and experiences. Her work aligns with growing global efforts to decolonize various fields of study and practice, including media, education, and the arts. For NU-Q, hosting this lecture is part of its broader commitment to contributing to the decolonization movement, helping foster critical reflection and change in how knowledge and power are distributed globally.
A Must-Attend Event for Media Enthusiasts and Scholars
Bilge Yesil’s upcoming lecture is expected to be an enriching and enlightening experience for anyone interested in the intersection of media, politics, and power. Scholars, media professionals, students, and anyone curious about the role of communication in global relations will find this lecture to be both relevant and timely. It presents a unique opportunity to engage with one of the leading voices in global media studies and participate in a critical discussion that will shape the future of media and communication worldwide.
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