Technology and Power
In this lecture, we delve into the intricate relationship between science, technology, and the governance of water resources, illustrating how advancements in these areas have historically been leveraged to exert and project power. Through the lens of the Indus Basin’s transformation and Dutch colonial interventions in Indonesia’s traditional rice systems, we explore the profound impacts of Enlightenment-era scientific breakthroughs on imperial dominance. This session also considers the potential societal upheavals prompted by modern innovations in agricultural water management, including precision agriculture, AI, and satellite remote sensing. Concluding with a discussion on nature-based solutions and the politics surrounding sustainable agricultural adaptation, this lecture aims to unravel the complex interplay between technological advancement, power dynamics, and environmental stewardship in the context of global river basins.
Date: 23 May 2024, 17:15 (Thursday, 5th week, Trinity 2024)
Venue: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Marston Road OX3 0EE
Speaker: Dr Abubakr Muhammad (Lahore University of Management Sciences)
Organising department: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Organisers: Prof Shahid Jameel (Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies), Dr Adeel Malik (Globe Fellow, Islamic Centre Lecturer in the Economies of Muslim Societies)
Organiser contact email address: academic.office@oxcis.ac.uk
Part of: Human-Water Systems: Lessons For and From River Basins of the Muslim World
Booking required?: Recommended
Booking url: https://www.oxcis.ac.uk/form/human-water-systems-series
Booking email: academic.office@oxcis.ac.uk
Audience: Public
Editor: Moin Nizami