Inaugural Lectures: Şebnem Susam-Saraeva

About the lecture

Eco-translation has opened up translation studies to multiple forms of communication that take place in the more-than-human world, challenging the barriers that persist between humanities and life sciences.

This lecture will discuss issues of translation, representation and ethics in relation to the communication systems of cetaceans (dolphins, whales and porpoises). It will explore ‘language’, ‘translation’ and ‘(un)translatability’ in the context of whales, then focus on why the colonial and patriarchal-capitalist heritage is relevant to the bioacoustics research carried out on whale vocalisations.

It will then turn to the thorny question of ‘who has the right to translate/represent’ the whales and to issues of ‘translation rights’ of the more-than-human. The objective is to expand our understanding of what translation entails, while offering some insights from humanities for research on marine bioacoustics.

The lecture will be followed by a canapés and drinks reception, at which all are welcome.

About the speaker

Şebnem Susam-Saraeva holds a Personal Chair of Translation Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

Her past research focused on translation of literary theories, retranslation, research methodology in translation studies, internationalisation of the discipline, non-professionals translating/interpreting, translation and gender, translation and popular music, and ethical & representational issues in translation.

Her more recent work focuses on translation/interpreting in (maternal) health and on eco-translation, especially interspecies communication.Professor Susam-Saraeva led the RSE-funded project 'Translating Informed Consent in Scottish Maternity Services' in 2022, bringing together the expertise of midwifery and translation & interpreting studies. She is currently running a new RSE-funded project 'The beginnings: Factoring in interpreting at antenatal care and midwifery education'.

She has published on translation and ecofeminism, as well as (knowledge) translation in climate crisis discourse. She held a visiting fellowship at Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin (2023), for her work on the representation of cetacean communication in arts and music, and a Leverhulme International Fellowship for her project ‘'Translation and cetacean communication systems: interactions and synergies' (2024), hosted by marine mammal research centres in Canada and the US.

Browse Professor Susam-Saraeva's staff profile on the University of Edinburgh website

How to attend

This lecture is a free, in-person event held on the University of Edinburgh campus. It is open to all.

The event will not be live streamed - tickets (bookable via Eventbrite) are for access to the venue. However, the lecture may be photographed and/or recorded and added to the University website afterwards. If you would prefer not to appear in any recordings, please contact us in advance or speak to us on the day. It's not a problem.

About Inaugural Lectures

Inaugural Lectures are free public talks by recently-appointed Professors and Chairs at the University of Edinburgh where they share their work with a wide audience, inviting reflection and discussion on its broader implications.

Browse more Inaugural Lectures on the University of Edinburgh website

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