Shefali Banerji

Department of English and Creative Writing, Goldsmiths, University of London

Associate PhD student

spoken word theatre in the UK, spoken word poetry, poetry performance, performance studies, experimental and alternative theatre, contemporary British poetry, British solo theatre, postcolonial studies, queer theory

03.11.2023 - Reclaiming the Stage: Roundtable with poets Kobi Ayensuo and Jay Mitra

Goldsmiths, University of London

Organised a roundtable on poetry performance in the UK and its efficacy as a form of protest with British-Ghanaian poet Kobi Ayensuo and British-Indian poet Jay Mitra for the "Poetry Off the Page" project. The discussion explored the power of poetry as a medium of resistance and reclamation for marginalised voices. The session was followed by performances by the two poets and an open mic for the attendees, hosted in collaboration with Safeword Poetry, Goldsmiths.

16.11.2023 - Workshop with Jasmine Gardosi, Birmingham Poet Laureate for AR Literature Course Poetry Off the Page (Assoz. Prof. Julia Lajta-Novak)

Department of English and American Studies, University of Vienna

Co-organised a workshop on poetry and performance with Birmingham Poet Laureate (2022-2024) Jasmine Gardosi, whose work explores questions of identity, LGBTQ+ issues and mental health through verse and sound poetics. The workshop was open to students and members of the public, and was run in collaboration with Assoz. Prof. Julia Lajta-Novak, "Poetry Off the Page" project and Queer Writers Circle, HINT (Highly Intersectional) Wien.

23.11.2023 - Home in (Immigrant / Diasporic) British Poetry: Virtual Poetry Reading and Podium Discussion with poets Qudsia Akhtar and Tim Tim Cheng for VO Cultural Studies Course The Politics of Home (Prof. Sarah Heinz and Kristin Aubel)

Department of English and American Studies, University of Vienna

Co-organised and moderated a poetry reading and discussion with poets Qudsia Akhtar and Tim Tim Cheng online on the role of poetry in representing and challenging ideas of home. The discussion addressed themes of immigration, diaspora and homeland. The reading was part of Prof. Sarah Heinz and Kristin Aubel's lecture series titled "The Politics of Home".

15.01.2025 – Artist Interaction with Poet Joshua Idehen for PS Cultural and Media Studies Course Performing Identity, Performing Poetry: Spoken Word in the UK (Shefali Banerji)

Department of English and American Studies, University of Vienna

Organised a Q&A session for students with British poet Joshua Idehen on the theme of performance and politics of identity in spoken word poetry. This interaction complemented the topics and works studied in the module, in particular Idehen’s viral song-poem “Mum Does the Washing” which deals with the idiosyncrasies of political ideologies.

22.01.2025 – Public Artist Talk - The Great British Gig: Malaika Kegode on Music, Spoken Word Poetry and Multidisciplinarity in Contemporary Theatre

Helene-Richter-Saal, University of Vienna

Organised and moderated an artist talk and Q&A session with award winning British writer, performer and theatre maker Malaika Kegode on the politics of identity, spoken word poetry, and cross-arts experimentations in contemporary British gig theatre. The talk was funded by the Musicology, Theatre and Performance Studies section of the Doctoral School of Philological and Cultural Studies.