LMH Junior Research Fellow in Education Dr Aliya Khalid and her colleague from the Department of Education, postdoctoral researcher Dr Stephanie Nowack, recently hosted a workshop for British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi families.
They explain what the day involved, and how it feeds into their wider research project:
Project Team: FLTR - Back row: Nadia Talukder (DPhil student, Department of Education), Dr Aliya Khalid (Senior Departmental Lecturer and PI on the project), Vicky Rolley (Access Officer at LMH), Dr Stephanie Nowack (Research Lead on the project), Khansa Maria (DPhil student, Department of Education), Pronita Dutta (DPhil student, Department of Education). Front row: Zaynah Talukder, Taanniya Ghazi (Student Ambassador; MBiomedSci Biomedical Sciences, Keble College), Alina Miah (Student Ambassador; MBiol Biology, Queens College), Shahera Sara Ahmed (Student Ambassador; MSc Cellular & Molecular Biochemistry, Lady Margrate Hall).
On Saturday 11 October 2025, LMH hosted a day-long workshop for British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi families. This event was part of a larger John Fell-funded research project led by Dr Aliya Khalid and Dr Stephanie Nowack, in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Department of Education, LMH and Jesus College, exploring the hopes and aspirations of British sixth form students of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage. The project aims to understand how socio-cultural relationships, community strengths, and structural inequalities shape educational aspirations within these communities. This short, introductory video gives more insights.
The event was designed to demystify pathways to higher education, particularly to the University of Oxford, by making them feel more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming, and by fostering a sense of belonging for all.
The family-focused workshop began with a reflective activity inviting parents and students to create life maps and share their experiences and aspirations. Attended by over 90 people, the session aimed to foster intergenerational understanding through storytelling, discussion, and creative activities. Parents traced their journeys from the time their own parents were born, reflecting on the values and challenges that shaped their paths, while young people spoke with pride about how their parents’ journeys had guided them toward doing well in education and a shared commitment to excellence.
Current undergraduate students (Shahera Sara Ahmed, Taanniya Ghazi, and Alina Miah), then spoke about their personal journeys to Oxford. After sharing lunch in the Hall, participants enjoyed a guided tour of LMH, followed by inspiring talks, including on admissions by LMH Access Officer Vicky Rolley and about the Oxford University's Islamic Society by Noora Al-Nemrat and Rumaysaa Mannan. The day concluded with insights on scholarships led by Khansa Maria and a powerful reminder of the importance of believing in ourselves, by Nadia Talukder.
There was an overwhelming response from families wishing to attend, and similar events are already being planned for the near future. We are hopeful that the event succeeded in fostering a genuine sense of belonging, as reflected in the words of one British Bangladeshi A-level student:
"Initially, I was unsure about going as I had already been to Oxford previously, but my mom pushed me to go (as always) and I can say for sure that, today, I have definitely had the most fun and insightful experience in Oxford ever. I have always struggled with speaking up and making my voice heard! But, you encouraged me to speak about mine and my parents’ journeys, and I am so grateful that you handed me that voice recorder and pushed me to go out of my comfort zone."
Families sharing their journeys, experiences, and aspirations.
