HLSCC Revives Humanities Talk Series Inviting Critical
H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) will relaunch its Humanities Talk Series on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, hosting a public lecture titled The Neverending Stories of Empire by Dr Dominic Alessio from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the College’s Green Room at the Learning Resource Centre/Library. The lecture uses the case of Diego Garcia to examine contemporary forms of empire and is part of HLSCC’s broader effort to expand transformative learning, deepen student engagement, and strengthen links between academic study and global realities, the College said in a government press release.
Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) will reopen a forum for critical inquiry and public dialogue with the return of its Humanities Talk Series on Wednesday, 4 February 2026. The one-hour lecture, The Neverending Stories of Empire, runs from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Green Room at the College’s Learning Resource Centre/Library, and members of the public are invited to attend, HLSCC said in a Government of the Virgin Islands press release.
The lecture will be delivered by Dr Dominic Alessio, Professor of History at Richmond American University in London. Dr Alessio will use the 12-mile Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia as a case study to explore how modern forms of empire complicate conventional understandings of post-colonialism, the College announcement states.
According to the release, Dr Alessio will focus on the recent transfer of Diego Garcia’s sovereignty from the United Kingdom to Mauritius — a decision made without consultation with the native Chagossian population, who were exiled during the Cold War era. ‘‘The forced exile of the Chagossians from Diego Garcia touches on issues of island studies, slavery, migration, the environment, Africa, and colonialism,’’ Dr Alessio said, adding that he looks forward both to sharing his research and learning more about the region.
HLSCC framed the revival of the Humanities Talk Series as part of its ongoing commitment to enriching the student experience through meaningful co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that support academic engagement, critical thinking, and student success. The College said activities such as the talk series help expand access to transformative learning experiences, deepen student engagement, and strengthen the connection between academic study and global realities.
Traci O’Dea, Head of Humanities and Social Sciences at HLSCC, welcomed the return of the series and stressed its relevance for island communities. ‘‘I was thrilled when Dr Alessio offered to speak at the College. His topic is deeply relevant to our islands and echoes contemporary examples of colonialism unfolding around the world today,’’ she said in the release.
Dr Alessio is described in the announcement as an internationally recognised scholar on imperialism and the political and cultural history of postcolonialism, with additional research on the history of the extreme right. He is the author of several published works and is currently engaged in a major political history project examining definitions of empire and alternative methods of territorial expansion, including purchase and leasing arrangements.
While aimed at stimulating reflection and discussion among HLSCC students, the College has explicitly invited the wider community to attend, reinforcing its role as a hub for community learning and open dialogue. Smith, Communications and Public Relations Manager, Office of the President, HLSCC, at (284) 852-7143 or basmith@hlscc.edu.vg.
For international media enquiries, the Government of the Virgin Islands lists BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com and provides a general enquiries line at 1 (284) 468-3701 (WhatsApp: 1 (284) 468-9760).
Primary source: BVI Government