Mica Nava is emeritus professor of cultural studies at the University of East London and a member of Jewish Voice for Labour council.
In academia, Professor Nava is internationally renowned for her research on “Visceral Cosmopolitanism.” As Professor Emeritus at the University of East London, her academic career has been dedicated to dismantling racism and exploring the integration of diverse communities. Her seminal work, Visceral Cosmopolitanism: Consumption, Race and Belonging, has been highly influential. She demonstrates how multiculturalism fosters connections across ethnic boundaries through art and social interaction in daily life, providing an inclusive framework for understanding modern society.
Professor Nava’s activism for Palestine is a direct extension of her academic thought. She is a steadfast supporter of Artists for Palestine UK and Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL), translating academic critique into direct social practice. She has long been a signatory to public letters protesting the occupation of Palestinian territories and has repeatedly called for cultural and academic boycotts of Israel. She works to challenge the suppression of critiques regarding Israeli policy in British politics, viewing it as a crucial struggle for free speech and human rights.
She once profoundly noted: “My Jewish identity has taught me that I must oppose all forms of ‘superiority.’ If that identity is used to justify the dehumanization of others, then I must stand up and challenge it.”