Renowned author and journalist Şeyda Kurt is coming to King’s to discuss her newly translated book Hate: The Uses of a Powerful Emotion (Verso 2025). A best-seller in Germany, the book argues for a “radical re-imaging of a revolutionary emotion”.

Şeyda is keen to discuss the text and exchange ideas with academic colleagues and students here at King’s. We’d particularly like to bring together colleagues and research students working in affect studies and/or on contemporary European politics.

In preparation for the workshop, participants are asked to read extracts from Kurt’s book, which will be shared in advance. If you want to read the whole book please do also go ahead! In the workshop itself we will focus on discussing the text’s interventions and the cultural politics of hate today in dialogue with Şeyda over some light refreshments.

Here is an overview of the book from the Verso website: “Kurt frees hatred from its banishment and sets out on the trail of its potential for resistance. She is particularly interested in people as subjects of hatred in a capitalist, racist and patriarchal world. Who are these haters and what power relations do they base themselves on? Who is allowed to hate? Which feelings paralyse, and which ones guide us to a fairer, more caring society? Ruthlessly, humorously and going beyond any self-righteous indignation, Şeyda Kurt explores the possibility of a serviceable hatred that connects with people who feel a deep sense of discontent and helps us to find a collective way forward.”

More information about Şeyda Kurt can be found here.

To sign up please email Dr Lizzie Stewart on elizabeth.stewart@kcl.ac.uk by 27th March 2026.

About the location

REACH SPACE, Level 3, Surrey Street East Wing building. Entrance via the Strand building.

Please note we regret that REACH is situated in a building that is not fully accessible to people who use wheelchairs. If you would like to discuss the accessibility of the REACH Space, please contact reachspace@kcl.ac.uk.