From left to right: Dr Yolandi Burger, Professor Michael Wilson, Dr Taimaz Larimian, Melinda Swift, Dr Robert Harland, and Professor Chmutina
Members of the Loughborough University School of Design and Creative Arts Urban Practice (UP) group convened a panel discussion on the theme Urban Places as Narrative Spaces, which took place at the University’s Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) on Tuesday, 1 July 2025.
This new research theme, or ‘frame’, has been introduced to the UP group by Dr Robert Harland, and will be developed over the coming years as part of his role as Deputy Lead for the UNESCO Chair in Storytelling Education for Sustainability initiative. This provides the vital link that incorporates the work of the recently established TOWN Observatory. and work with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on the Named after Nelson project.
The panel was chaired by IAS alumni Dr Yolandi Burger, a recently appointed Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg. Among the participating Loughborough colleagues were Professor Mike Wilson, Dr. Robert Harland, and Dr. Taimaz Larimian. The panel also featured in-person guest, Melinda Swift, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Operations at the Gauteng City Region Observatory, South Africa.
Above (read left to right): (1) Professor Chmutina is presenting and opening the panel; (2) Panel discussing the many diferent perspectives on the subject of Space narratives; (3) Professor Mike Wilson making his closing remarks.