KU to host panel discussion on Iran protests

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas faculty and students from the Iranian community will share their thoughts on the recent anti-government uprising in Iran.

The hybrid panel discussion will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center. Participants can also register to attend virtually on Zoom.

Mike Wuthrich, associate professor of political science and associate director of the Center for Global & International Studies, and Jackie Brinton, associate professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies, will moderate the panel. The panelists will include students from the Iranian community.

Protests began in Iran shortly after the Sept. 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody after being accused of violating Iran’s strict hijab laws. Since the unrest began last month, human rights groups have reported that hundreds of protesters have died.

Wednesday’s panel discussion will begin with a brief overview of Iranian politics from the 1979 Iranian Revolution to the most recent unrest. Moderators and panelists will discuss the nature of the protests, the government’s response, the role of women, the response of the international community and the potential for the protests to bring change to Iran.

“While so much of the focus on Iran has been leveled at its institutions of power — the Supreme Leader Khamenei and the menacing Revolutionary Guard Corps — the current protests highlight once again, in significant ways, the powerful history of popular protest in Iran and the dynamic spirit of its people, many of whom are currently a wonderful part of our KU community,” Wuthrich said.

To protect the participants' privacy, it is requested that no photographs or video be taken at the event.

The event is being sponsored by the Center for Global & International Studies, The Commons, Department of Religious Studies, Department of Political Science, International Affairs, International Support Services, KU Iranian Community Association, Middle East Studies and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.