The School of Business and Management’s Storytelling Unboxed organised its second event on July 4th 2023. The event took place at The People’s Palace and was well attended by students, academics from across the university and members of the public.
Dr S M A Moin kicked off the evening with an introduction to Storytelling Unboxed, explaining its purpose and values. Dr Moin used storytelling to introduce the night’s keynote speaker, Professor Yasmin Ibrahim, who gave a talk about “AI and Human Intimacies; Social Fantasies, Fiction and Storytelling”. Professor Ibrahim explored the interplay between human and non-human intelligence in a presentation described by attendees as “fascinating and thought-provoking”.
Several students from the School then shared their signature stories. From a spiritual experience at St Paul’s Cathedral to the way studying abroad shapes perceptions about life, the stories shared were varied and moving. Postgraduate student Lijun Hou described her journey from China to Queen Mary University which inspired her to create a student-led society, Major Mixer. Lijun created this space for students to engage with industry professionals and explore career opportunities.
Undergraduate student Hira Hammad has lived in Pakistan, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and London. Each of these places has had a profound impact on Hira. During her signature story, Hira explained that life at Queen Mary and exploring London had reignited her feelings for her motherland, leaving her with a desire to help those people she left behind.
The event ended with professional networking and feedback from attendees was positive. Callum Morrison, an academic from Coventry University, praised the event on LinkedIn, writing:
“Six students confidently took to the stage and engagingly each delivered a story that personified them! Their confidence and demeanour was a credit to the institution of QM. Yasmin Ibrahim artfully took us to the root of all technological progress: philosophy & emotion. Through the longitudinal warps of robotics, IT, AI, & machine learning, she wove her illuminating shuttle of Derrida, Barthes, Martin, & Butler, & also the attribution of magic, loneliness, history and mythology that have accompanied every step of human progress. In conclusion, an evening of one small step for some, and a giant leap of comprehension for many. Thank you, QM.”
Storytelling Unboxed thanks Dharmit Mehta from the SBM Event Management Team for his excellent support in organising this event and all audience whose attendance has made the event a success. Storytelling Unboxed has ambitious plans to have many more events in the coming days.