Alistair Rooms, BA History and Politics
To show the wealth of SOAS academics, Alistair Rooms has decided to interview various teachers with a set of simple questions. Hopefully we will learn more about SOAS academics and gain some pearls of wisdom.
Stephen came to SOAS in 2002 and is an International Relations Professor here. His area of expertise is southern Africa he has written a number of books on the region. The ZANU-PF controlled newspaper branded him a spy. He started a foundation in the region that work through martial arts to improve the education of young people. He also used to be a Savile row model.
He is currently working with SOAS radio on two broadcasts, one about African political thought and the other on Just Rebellions. Both will be on Youtube soon.
1) What is your first memory?
I remember watching trams go by as a young boy in Auckland, New Zealand. As the first child of a Chinese refugee family my parents were busy setting up a shop and so had little spare time for me.
2) Which living person do you most abhor? And Why?
Those who have shed blood have always been on my hate list. If I were to give one name I would say Tony Blair. In my book I refused to use his name.
3) Which living person do you most admire? And Why?
One soon realises that even our heroes are subject to the same human failings. The International head of the Hare Krishna movement Radhanath Swami; he’s quite a funky guy and his movement manages to feed two million people a day including SOAS students! I’ve seen him fundraise and he’s a real professional, on one occasion we were the only two people in the room who weren’t millionaires or billionaires.
4) What angers you?
Right now the British attitude and response toward the ‘refugee crisis’, we are not even close to stepping up to the plate.
5) What advice would you give to your student self?
My 1st term in the UK as a Kings masters student was pretty rancid. I would say be prepared and willing to enter culture shock, ride the differences and become accustomed to new places.
6) Which stage in your life sticks out as the happiest?
As general rule I am always happy but never content, there is always more to be done.
7) What keeps you going?
I’m a pretty driven person – this is partly due to my background but also the human suffering I have witnessed.
8) What experience is top of your bucket list?
I’ve had a very fulfilling life; I’ve had more adventures than most people have hot meals.
9) What is the worst job you’ve had?
I don’t think I particularly liked being a Chinese laundry man.
10) Which book changed your life?
It’s hard to stay, books are a key part of my craft. I’ll go for one in I read in my youth – Leonard Cohen’s Beautiful Losers – it had a poignant impact on me.
11) What is your favourite word?
Fine.
12) If you could time travel, where would you go?
I’d quite like to see Ephesus in its heyday, 2000 years ago it was the great library of it’s time.
13) How do you relax?
I spend time kicking a bag (Karate).
14) If you could change one thing about SOAS what would it be?
I would encourage the current chairman of the board of trustees (Tim Miller) to step down. This body are driving the course cuts, which are based on primitive and miscalculated figures.
15) What book would you recommend to the SOAS community?
One of our professors Professor Abdel Haleem formulated a brilliant translation of the Quran.
16) Who is the most inspiring person you have met?
New Zealand poet James Keir Baxter – he was a spiritual leader and a bit of a drug head. He came with all the usual ego issues but was committed to self-poverty and helping addicts. He wrote very fine poetry, had he lived he should have been nominated for the Nobel literature prize.
17) Can you share an amusing SOAS related anecdote with us.
I have a tendency to fall asleep in my own lectures, the students often laugh out loud and wake me up. It is usually because I land at the airport exhausted and come straight to give lectures.
18) What is your favourite haunt in London?
On a summers day I like to hang out at St George’s wharf on the edge of Vauxhall. There are some bars on the river edge – they serve awful food but can mix a pleasant cocktail.
19) What is your favourite bookshop in London?
Waterstones on Gower street due to convenience, but I can never take a credit card with me!
20) What world city is a must-see?
My two favourite cities on earth are Paris and Istanbul.
Paris is a genuine city of culture. The history of French writers and philosophers first drew me there years ago back when I actually admired them.
Istanbul because of the beautiful anarchy about the place – I love the area around the harbour.