Written by Mir Abdullah Miri
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend the Narrative Matters Conference in Paris. It was a meaningful experience in every way. Professionally, it gave me space to connect, present my research and learn from others. Personally, it showed me what is possible when people take action without waiting for perfect systems.
I’m a PhD researcher at the University of Bath on the Warm Welcome Scholarship. My work focuses on refugee education. The scholarship doesn’t cover professional development costs, so when I was invited to co-present at the conference, I almost had to say no. But I reached out for support, and that changed everything. The International Relations Office covered my accommodation and local transport. The Sanctuary Working Group supported my flights. The conference organisers waived the registration fee. None of this came from a dedicated fund to my scholarship. It was simply people saying yes and taking practical steps to help.
The conference focused on the theme ‘Disparate Narrative Worlds: Crisis, Conflict, and the Possibility for Change’. I presented research on access to higher education for people from refugee backgrounds, drawing on stories from Southwest England. The conversations were grounded in reality and focused on hope as a practical strategy for change.
Just as important as the conference itself was how I got there. The support I received was quick, simple and built on trust. It reminded me that meaningful change often starts with small, human decisions.
I believe universities do not need to build new departments to make a difference. What they need is a willingness to act, to recognise the value of lived experience, and to trust students as active contributors to the academic community. When institutions remove barriers, people do not just access opportunities. They contribute, lead, and create space for others.
I took some time during my trip to walk around and get to know Paris. Every street felt layered with stories, much like the ones we had been sharing at the conference. One evening, I stood in front of the Eiffel Tower as it lit up the night sky. It was breath taking, but what stayed with me was not the spectacle itself. It was the thought that something so visible, so iconic, relies on structures and systems most people never see. That felt familiar. My journey to Paris was possible because of the people behind the scenes; people who didn’t need attention or credit, who simply chose to help. Their support may not have been on display, but it held everything up. Just like the Tower’s foundations, their actions made it possible for something bright to stand tall. That kind of quiet support is what truly lights the way.
Next, I will be co-facilitating a creative workshop on the theme of ‘hope in community and education’ during Refugee Week. It is a chance to share what I have learned and to encourage others in higher education to take the same kind of practical, human steps that made my experience possible.
No big campaign. No grand policy. Just people deciding to help when it matters.
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