what does PIA stand for?

PIA stands for Power, Inequality and Activism. What this means is that we stand with the oppressed. Taking Power, Inequality and Activism seriously means that PIA cannot be neutral with respect to power and inequality, and this requires us to take up positions, conceptually and practically. Conceptually, this means that our understanding of academic research is informed by various versions of ‘standpoint’ theory that acknowledge and is informed by knowledge generated from and by the oppressed, which includes (for example) feminist, anti-racist and decolonial perspectives. Practically, this means that we heed the calls of the oppressed to stand against dehumanising institutions. Such practices include how we research as well as what we research and what we do with our research. We acknowledge that our ‘dialogue’ with those we agree with, and those we disagree with, is not on a level playing field. So we need to take practical, activist, steps to put theory to work, and to attend to the discursive and institutional conditions framing any dialogue. 

This statement was prompted by our disagreement with UoM institutional links with Tel Aviv University and with other Israeli universities directly involved with resourcing and supporting the Israeli state occupation of Palestinian Territories and especially the genocide. See Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel | BDS Movement

We align with the UoM Staff pledge for Palestine - University of Manchester Workers' Pledge for Palestine  in accordance with Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel | BDS Movement

PIA also aligns with the British Committee for Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) commitment to support the boycott of Israeli academic institutions which was called for by Palestinian civil society. See The Academic Commitment for Human Rights in Palestine