Episode 14: Athira Unni, Postcolonial Dystopias and Social Reproduction Theory

In this episode, we speak with Athira Unni, an Independent Scholar who holds a PhD in English from Leeds Beckett University.In our conversation with Athira, we discuss postcolonial dystopian fiction, with a particular emphasis on South Asian and Caribbean texts. Here, Athira notes how dystopian texts from these regions reflect multiple layers of oppression. She also suggests that something which sets postcolonial dystopias apart from Western dystopian traditions is that they focus on independence, rather than revolution. Our conversation also focuses on social reproductive theory, a framework which Athira examines throughout her work, and how reading utopian and dystopian texts with this theory in mind generates new insights.You can find out more about Athira and her work here: https://athiraunni.owlstown.net/ You can read Athira's paper, 'Social Reproductive Labor and Uto/Dystopia: An Analysis of Leila, Midnight Robber and Woman World' here.If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! You can follow and rate the podcast, leave us a comment, or email us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]