Debra Kelly

Debra's current research focuses on the cultural history of French communities in London since the 17th century to the present, examining the diverse contributions made by French and Francophone exiles and migrants to London’s cultural, social, political economic life. She is also an editor for the Language Acts and Worldmaking book series published by Hodder & Stoughton/John Murray Languages which proposes new ways of bridging the gaps between those who teach and research languages and those who learn and use them in everyday contexts from the professional to the personal. She is particularly interested in public and community engagement and in 2018 and 2019 she curated the University of Westminster’s Difference Festival, a week-long series of public talks, workshops, walks, film screenings, discussions and performances highlighting the importance of the humanities and the social sciences to today’s social, political and cultural concerns.