Free Word Lecture with Misan Harriman

Photographer, filmmaker and cultural commentator Misan Harriman is one of the defining visual storytellers of our time. From documenting historic moments of protest and social change to creating some of the most widely recognised images of the past decade, his work has explored the relationship between visibility, dignity and human connection.

In this special Free Word Lecture, Harriman reflects on the power of stories, images and testimony to shape how societies see themselves and remember their histories. Exploring questions of representation, public memory and the responsibility of bearing witness, he considers what it means to tell human stories in an age saturated with images, information and competing narratives.

Presented in partnership with Free Word.

About the Speaker

Misan Harriman

Misan Harriman is a photographer, social activist and an Oscar Nominated filmmaker. In the 104 year history of British Vogue, Misan is the first black person to shoot the cover of the magazine’s September issue. In July 2021, he was appointed Chair of the Southbank Central, London. His first film, The After, starring David Oyelowo, is the first Netflix UK original short film and went on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in January 2024.