Refugee Tales at Manchester University

About the event

Images of immigration and refugee experiences rarely include their voices and this roundtable will reflect on different approaches to reframing, raising awareness of and centring immigrant stories.

Join Refugee Tales for a roundtable, chaired by Dr Sundhya Walther, with contributors from History (Prof Ana Carden Coyne), the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (Phoebe Shambaugh) and Drama (Dr Ali Jeffers) at The University of Manchester, who will discuss their projects, including the Traces of Displacement exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery, which opened in April 2023, and can be viewed until 7 January 2024.

This event marks the launch of The Walking Inquiry exhibition in Manchester, which brings together the voices and insights of people with lived experience of immigration detention and Volunteer Visitors who provide support to people in detention. The project engaged a unique methodology, building on walking, talking and sharing together. The contributions, which took various forms, including testimony, art, letters, video and poetry, shine a powerful light on the daily realities of immigration detention, and its complex and enduring impacts.

Following the roundtable, join us for a film screening and discussion about The Walking Inquiry exhibition. You will have the opportunity to hear from the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group, the University of Kent (David Herd). The event will feature a film screening of a short film by Ridy Wasolua, featuring conversations with people with lived experience of detention.

The Walking Inquiry exhibition will be exhibited in the Samuel Alexander building ‘Glass Corridor’ space, and available to view between 24-28 April 2023, when the building is open.

• More information: Walking Inquiry Exhibition — Refugee Tales

• Read the report: Walking Inquiry — Refugee Tales