In conversation: Sathnam Sanghera and Professor Alan Lester

Inspired by Lubaina Himid’s work in our Living Water exhibition, we are delighted to welcome Sunday Times bestselling writer Sathnam Sanghera and specialist in British colonial history Professor Alan Lester to consider how colonial histories are woven into our cultural institutions and how British Imperialism has shaped the modern world.

Sathnam Sanghera was born to Punjabi parents in the West Midlands in 1976. He entered the education system unable to speak English but, after attending Wolverhampton Grammar School, graduated from Christ’s College, Cambridge with a first-class degree in English Language and Literature.

His third book, Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain became an instant Sunday Times bestseller on release in 2021, was named a Book of the Year at the 2022 British Books Awards, and resulted in Empire State of Mind, the acclaimed two-part documentary for Channel 4 for which he earned a Best Presenter shortlisting at the 2022 Grierson Awards.

The book also inspired a sequel, Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe, which became an instant Sunday Times bestseller on release in 2024.