"'Colonialism' and 'empire' have recently become bywords for oppression, racial prejudice, cultural destruction, and economic exploitation. And yet the British Empire led the world in the suppression of slavery throughout the 19th century. And the reason why young Canadians lie buried in Normandy and Sicily is that the Empire called them to fight fascism in 1939-45. So where does the truth lie? Was the British Empire good as well as bad? If so, how should we make moral sense of it overall?"
In this lecture, Professor Dr. Nigel Biggar (King’s College London) will discuss the impact of the British Empire as it unfolded over the years of its existence. Dr. Prabo Mihindukulasuriya (Regent College) will subsequently offer a response to Dr. Biggar after his lecture, followed by local podcaster Aaron Pete (Bigger Than Me Podcast).
This event will be held at UBC’s Sage Lecture Hall (6331 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z1) at 7 PM. A reception with drinks and refreshments will take place before the event from 5:30 PM to 6:50 PM.
About the Speakers:
Dr. Nigel Biggar is Regius Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology at the University of Oxford and author of the bestselling Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning (2023, 2024). Described as “one of the leading living Western ethicists” (New Statesman, November 2020), he was appointed C.B.E. “for services to higher education” in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours list in 2021, named one of Prospect’s Top Thinkers of 2024, and granted a life peerage by King Charles III in 2025.
Dr. Pravo Mihindukulasuriya joined Regent’s faculty in 2022 after two decades of service at Colombo Theological Seminary in Sri Lanka, where he held a variety of faculty and staff roles. From 2014 to 2021, he served as Deputy Principal and Head of Publishing, a role that also included extensive teaching responsibilities. His dissertation was recently published as Unmasking the Empire: British Christian Humanitarians and the Ceylonese Campaign for Justice Following the 1915 Pogrom (Social Scientists Association, 2023). His extensive publication history also includes a 2013 monograph, two edited volumes, numerous journal articles, and multiple entries in reference works, including “Poverty and Wealth” and “Prosperity Gospel” in the South Asia Bible Commentary (Open Door Publications/Langham Partnership, 2015).
Aaron Pete is the host of the Bigger Than Me Podcast. Raised by a single Indigenous mother with a disability, Aaron has a deep appreciation for the value of community and uses his platform to inspire and uplift others. He is a graduate of the Peter A. Allard School of Law and serves as the Strategic Relationships Manager for Métis Nation British Columbia. In September 2022, Aaron was elected as a council member for his community, Chawathil First Nation.