Participatory Biography: Adaptable Creative Writing Pedagogy of/for Crisis
Schedule
Thu May 21 2026 at 12:30 pm to 01:30 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Rewley House | Oxford, EN
About this Event
Explore the concept of participatory biography in this lecture. Drawing on an ongoing book project, Dr Sleiman El Hajj presents life writing that brings fact and fiction into dialogue, moving beyond static narration towards a more dynamic engagement with lived experience.
The session considers how creative practice can generate insight, support healing and enable new meanings to emerge from past trauma. It also examines the role of emotional intelligence in writing and teaching, alongside questions raised by emerging AI. Participants are invited to reflect on the challenges and possibilities of life writing in times of crisis.
- Book your place to attend in-person via Eventbrite.
- Attend online by clicking this link on Thursday 21 May at 12:30.
Please note this lecture will be recorded.
About the series
Explore how storytelling can transform trauma and illness into pathways for healing and agency. In this compelling lecture series, Rewriting Trauma and/or Illness for Lifelong Learning, Dr El Hajj bridges clinical perspectives with creative practice, drawing on years of teaching and research in crisis contexts.
Through fiction, nonfiction, and personal narratives, each session uncovers how meaning-making can reshape experiences of hardship. Attend individual talks or the full series to engage with literature, writing, and lifelong learning. Discover new possibilities for creative and collaborative research.
About the speaker
Dr Sleiman El Hajj is Associate Professor of Creative Writing, and Founder of the Creative Writing Program, at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon. Dr El Hajj has been appointed to research fellowships at the University of Oxford’s Department of International Development (ODID), and is currently Visiting Fellow at Oxford University’s Oxford Lifelong Learning (Department for Continuing Education).
Where is it happening?
Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
