Event overview
Baroness Lola Young visits Goldsmiths to discuss her new book 8 Weeks: Looking Back. Moving Forward, Defying the Odds.
This event is hosted by the School for Media, Communications and Cultural Studies (MCCS) and the Centre for Feminist Research as part of the MCCS Community Lectures series. It is open to all staff, students, and members of the public.
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Baroness Lola Young will be discussing her recently published memoir 8 Weeks: Looking Back, Moving Forwards, Defying the Odds, which documents being in foster care from the age of eight weeks in Tufnell Park, North London and later attending Parliament Hill School for Girls. During her teenage years and following the death of her foster mother Lola Young was sent to a children's home in the outskirts of North London. Throughout the book she records and comments on the many experiences of racism and discrimination she confronted in British society in the '50s and '60s. The book also charts the role of the local authorities and the question of record-keeping and archival material. Lola Young will also reflect on the later stages of her education, home life, and entrances to the world of work as a ‘care experienced’ young woman.
Lola Young will be in conversation with Goldsmiths Professors Angela McRobbie and Claudia Bernard. The event will be chaired by Dr Kat Higgins.
Author Biography:
Lola Young was raised in foster care from a very young age until late teenage years. On leaving care she worked in various administrative roles as well as in the social care sector. She then studied Drama, becoming an actor. A decade later she pursued post-graduate studies in cultural studies and held a lectureship at Thames Valley University London (now the University of West London). Lola authored the classic book Fear of the Dark: Race, Gender and Sexuality in Cinema (1995) Committed to the field of cultural policy for ethnic minority people Lola Young was Director of the Black Cultural Archives. In 2004, she was appointed as an independent Crossbench member of the House of Lords. As a Peer she has worked with great enthusiasm on the ethics and politics of the fashion industry and modern day slavery. Lola chaired the Man Booker Prize judging panel in 2017. She is currently Chancellor of the University of Nottingham.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2025 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm |
Accessibility
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