September Events
As we begin a new academic year, the wheels are again turning for the Society’s event programme.
First up, on Thursday the 17th, we will welcome Lâle Uluç for a lecture on the Shāh Ṭahmāsp Album, a celebrated compilation of illustrated calligraphic works widely believed to have been among the diplomatic gifts sent by the Safavid ruler Shah Ṭahmāsp (r. 1524–1576). In 2024, Uluç co‑authored a book on the album that centres on its calligraphy, analysing the scripts, compositions and textual provenance, and tracing the influence of eminent calligraphers alongside broader artistic currents of the Safavid period. In this lecture, she will offer a closer examination of the album, now held in the Library of Istanbul University. For further details and registration, please visit this page.
The week after Uluç’s lecture, we are pleased to be hosting a two‑day hybrid conference on 22–23 September devoted to the latest research on the archaeologist Sir Marc Aurel Stein. Stein was a member of the Society and recipient of the Society’s Triennial Gold Medal in 1932 for his contribution to the field of archaeology. The Society is fortunate to hold a large photographic collection documenting Stein’s several expeditions across Central Asia, including particularly rare images from his 1900–01 expedition in Chinese Turkestan, report of which was published in 1907 as Ancient Khotan.
Supported by the Stein‑Arnold Exploration Fund of the British Academy, the conference brings together an international group of curators and scholars from Europe, Asia and North America with working knowledge of the Stein archives and collections to share their most recent research. Speakers will address topics including the curation of Stein collections, his archaeological exploration in Swat, his international networks as well as avenues of knowledge exchange. The full programme can be viewed here. Attendance is open to all: in‑person tickets are £10 (including lunch on the second day, and tea and coffee), while online participation is free. Registration details are available on our event page here.
As part of the programme, on the evening of 22 September, Professor Susan Whitfield will deliver an associated public lecture,‘Aurel Stein, female friends and changing worlds’. Taking Stein’s female friends as a starting point, Professor Whitfield will explore the interests and achievements of women during Stein’s lifetime, particularly in relation to Asian travel, work and study. As usual, the lecture is free and open to all, and no advance registration is required for in‑person attendance. If you would like to join online, register here.
Between the close of the conference and the start of the lecture on the 22nd, we’ll also be putting out a selection of Stein photographs, publications and related maps from our collections for viewing, offering a visual introduction to Stein’s legacy. Do stop by the Reading Room if you are interested for a closer look! Further information about our Stein photographic holdings can be found here.
Whether you are interested in exploring Stein’s legacy in depth, learning more about the women in his intellectual and social circles, or viewing early 20th-century photographs of Central Asia, we welcome your participation in the event.
After the two-day Stein conference, on Thursday the 24th we will be celebrating the launch of Dr Simon Layton’s book Piratical States: British Imperialism in the Indian Ocean World, c. 1780-1850. This talk will be chaired by Dr Sunil Purushotham, with Dr David Veevers and Professor Richard Drayton joining the discussion. Please note that the talk will not be streamed or recorded, but we look forward to seeing many of you in person for what promises to be a stimulating conversation.
More events for the autumn are in the pipeline, and details will be announced once confirmed, so please stay tuned!