The Everyday Oxford project, led by Professor Patrick McGuinness (MML) and Shin-Shin Ngiam (Ark T Centre), is a creative writing initiative that explores the often-overlooked aspects of Oxford's daily life and history. In contrast to the city's often celebrated extraordinary landmarks and traditions, this project focuses on the "ordinary" experiences and stories of local residents.
Through weekly writing sessions, participants collectively engaged with new themes and everyday objects from Museum Oxford to inspire their written pieces and own narratives, fostering a deeper appreciation for the city’s sometimes less-visible histories.
This participatory project culminated in an exhibition and an anthology that highlights the value of the everyday, offering a rich, diverse portrayal of Oxford beyond the tourist and University-focused view.
The impact on the group participants and leaders can be seen below in the video and the feedback on this page.
This project is facilitated by TORCH - please contact Alex Coke (alex.coke@humanities.ox.ac.uk) if you are interested in getting involved or would like to hear more.
Feedback
“Attending the sessions gave me the confidence and encouragement to write creatively for the first time…I thoroughly enjoyed the process and experienced satisfaction in creating something.” - participant
"I really value how both Patrick and Shin-Shin communicated with the group. The space they co-created was one in which I felt able to be creative, vulnerable and happy!" - participant
"Shin-Shin organised and delivered the workshops brilliantly with warmth, intelligence and plenty of humour. She was kind, attentive and efficient. Patrick was inspirational: his ability to listen to a piece of writing and immediately provide in-depth analysis/insight/philosophy was testament to his intelligence and skill. He provided an open and anti-elitist environment that made us feel valued, regardless of our academic status." - Participant
This class
So many memories and experiences flooding into the room,
Flowing through like the rivers of Oxford
Spilling into times old and new.
