Our publications
A new book titled,Lifespring Stories: The Many Faces of Oxford Road captures the rich and diverse experiences of a vibrant community in Reading.
Often called ‘The United Nations of Reading’, Oxford Road is home to over 72 languages. The book captures the unique ways this community has been shaped by migration, cultural exchange, and urban development, featuring voices that are under-represented in traditional research.
The stories in the book were gathered through interviews, photographs, and personal memories shared by residents, businesses, and visitors. These accounts reflect the daily challenges and triumphs of those who live, work and pass through Oxford Road, illustrating the area’s rich multicultural history and the resilience of its community.
From struggles of migration and homelessness to tales of food, language, and culture, Lifespring Stories highlights the power of storytelling as a tool for social change, drawing attention to issues of socioeconomic inequality and community identity.
Available to download: https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/118420/
This project used a framework of participatory observations and interviews with members of the Oxford Road community in Reading, to map the language landscape in this area.
Our team contributed to the University of Reading’s Participatory Action Research toolkit, published in 2022. The toolkit is a resource about the principles and everyday practices of Participatory Action Research (PAR), how to build community research teams and how to use PAR to understand local issues.
Oxford Road Stories is an online community exhibition hosted by Reading Museum. The exhibition is brought to you by the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) team in partnership with the University of Reading.
The Oxford Road Storytelling pilot project “Re-imagining the high street through your stories” was a finalist in the University of Reading’s 2022 Engagement and Impact Awards.