Students and Academics get involved at Bookfest

• Wednesday, October 23, 2019

The University of Roehampton’s partner, Wimbledon Bookfest, has wrapped up for another year, following ten days on Wimbledon Common that played host to a multitude of events for the community and local schools.

This year, Roehampton academics could be spotted throughout the festival programme, from talks with Gavin Thurston, BAFTA award-winning wildlife cameraman and Professor Dame Jacqueline Wilson, to creative writing workshops, and events with both local sixth formers about the opportunities university offers and with the public showcasing the diverse research at Roehampton.

There were also opportunities for Roehampton students to get involved, using skills learned on their courses to gain valuable experience. From attending events as journalists, to podcasting, creating videos, taking photos and being festival volunteers, students demonstrated their professionalism and put their skills to practice.

Events with Roehampton academics included;

Ariel Kahn – Chair of Judges for young writers competition and panellist on Hidden Voices, Undiscovered Lives event

Leone Ross – Writer in Residence, Chair of Open Minds and panellist on New Daughters of Africa Event, creative writing workshop

Professor Stuart Semple – Journeys into the Wild: The Secret Life of a Cameraman with Blue Planet cameraman, Gavin Thurston

Daniel O’Donoghue, Donovan Kirkwood, Ping Shum, Professor Stuart Semple, Dr Amanda Holt - Critical Minds event for sixth formers

Josh Appignanesi, Professor Fiona Ellis, Professor Lewis Halsey - Open Minds event

Professor Paul O’Prey – presenting the Robert Graves Prize at the Simon Armitage event

Professor Dame Jacqueline Wilson – Jacqueline Wilson