As part of the Global Week 2024 programme of activities, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit and the University Library and Collections (ULC) Department are running a Human Library, which is designed to build a positive interaction and safe space for conversation between readers and a ‘human book’.

Sign up to have a 20-minute conversation with one of our human books at Bill Bryson Library to find out more about their country, culture, heritage and lived experiences, or their experiences as an international student or staff member in the UK.

Meet our Human Books:

Saujanya (India and UAE)

I will be speaking about my Indian culture and heritage and how I stayed connected to it growing up in Dubai, in the Middle East. I will also speak about my experience as an
international student in the UK who grew up in an international city and how all of it shaped my identity.

Mel (Philippines)

Let’s have a chat about the Philippines, a country of more than 7,600 islands with strong Spanish and American influences, among others. I’m aware I’ve been shaped by a hodgepodge of cultures and traditions; but it was only when I began living abroad as an
international student and later as a migrant worker when I became more cognisant of my Filipino identity as well as the various Filipino stereotypes—the good, the bad and the ugly. Now that I’m raising my son in a multicultural household where baked beans are considered more of a staple food than rice, I’m trying my best to ensure that my child grows up knowing and celebrating his Filipino heritage.

Dorothy (Ireland)

I will chat about my life experiences as someone of confused nationality (Irish, British);
and as a working mother. In both these cases, I have tried to balance several different identities at once. This has been challenging but I think it has also given me some valuable perspectives on life.

Tony (Mozambique)

Seeking refuge in the UK as I ran away from many parts of my identity that I internalized as wrong, little did I know that over many years, shackles would be broken, and old wounds would open. Coming to the UK for university ended up being a transformational experience, as the world forced me to deal with traumas to grow and understand myself as the person I am today. The story of a Black LGBT+ child afraid to live their truth, that had had enough, and finally had the opportunity to explore a world they had never felt safe to do so.

Global Week Human Library