Description
Since the mid-20th century, Bangladeshis have played an important role in shaping the social, cultural and economic life of Bradford. In his book, Bangladeshis in Bradford, Dr Shaukat Ahmed traces the experiences of generations who arrived in the city seeking work, opportunity and connection, and who went on to establish businesses, organisations and lasting community networks.
In conversation, Ahmed will reflect on the research and personal experiences behind the book, exploring stories of migration, anti-racist organising, community activism and the changing identity of Bradford itself.
Drawing on decades of community leadership and lived experience, Ahmed will share the untold histories behind one of Bradford’s most influential migrant communities.
About the Host
Irna Qureshi
Irna Qureshi is an ethnographer and writer who uses oral testimony to build narratives linking personal stories to wider social histories. Over the last 30 years, she has documented the histories of Britain’s South Asian diaspora through performance, exhibitions, essays and books, including The Grand Trunk Road: From Delhi to the Khyber Pass.
About the Author
Dr Shaukat Ahmed
Dr Shaukat Ahmed DU MBE has been a central figure in Bradford’s community life for nearly fifty years. Since arriving from Bangladesh in 1974, he has championed housing, education, youth engagement and anti-racist campaigning, helping to establish key local organisations. A former Labour councillor and engineer, he was awarded an MBE in 2008 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford in 2023.
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