Are you a QMUL student or alumnus, or do you live in or have connections to East London? Are you passionate about social justice, community history, and creative practice?

We’re seeking anyone who wants to learn the tools and techniques of oral history collection and curation while helping to build an active community archive.

Find out more about how you can get involved.

The project will run from December 2025 – July 2026 (approx).

Over the course of the project, the trainees will collect oral histories, develop archiving skills and work alongside grassroots collectives and community organisations – gaining hands-on experience and training, and playing an important role in amplifying stories and voices that matter.

They’ll participate in workshops, learn from experts from QMUL and co-curate a digital archive and exhibition, which will be launched in Spring 2026 accompanied by a series of public events.

Rich Mix was founded as a direct response to decades of political and cultural polarisation in East London to promote equality through arts and culture, and to stand firmly against racial discrimination.  We are a space where communities can come together to create, debate and share their cultures.

Our founding objectives are clear: to support marginalised communities, particularly those facing racial inequity, to promote intercultural understanding, eliminate racial discrimination, and foster equality of opportunity through arts and culture.

This work continues today, and it matters more than ever.

 

PROJECT TIMELINE

 December 2025 – July 2026 approx.

  • Oral histories training (Jan-Feb)
  • Wed 28 Jan 2-5pm: The Politics of Anti-Racism and Oral Histories with Dr Adam Elliot- Cooper
  • Wed 4 Feb 2-5pm: Visiting and Reading the London Met Archives with Dr Clive Gabay
  • Mon 23 Feb 10.30am-12.30pm: Visiting and Reading the Tower Hamlets Archive with Dr Layli Uddin
  • Archiving workshops with community members (Jan-Apr)
  • Pop-up memory events at Rich Mix and community venues (Jan-Apr)
  • Archive curation and exhibition development (Jan-Apr)
  • Public events and exhibition launch (Apr-Jul)

 

Image credit: Paul Trevor @paul.taylor.fotos

THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY AND DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH