Meet the Story Fellow Panya Banjoko

A UK based poet and cultural historian Panya Banjoko’s work features in numerous anthologies, exhibitions and museum’s collections. Her debut poetry collection, Some Things (2018) and most recent work (Re)Framing the Archive (2022) are published by Burning Eye Books. Her practice as poet and cultural historian often centres on her personal engagement with museums and galleries for almost three decades, and as the founder of Nottingham Black Archive. Panya is patron for Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, received a Doctorate from Nottingham Trent University in 2022, and declined the MBE for her work as a poet in the same year. 

The Challenge

In 2025, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature (NUCoL) will celebrate its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Literature. This milestone presents a valuable opportunity to document its journey, highlight its influence on Nottingham’s literary and cultural landscape, and showcase its role within the UNESCO Cities of Literature network. As StoryArc fellow, Panya Banjoko will gather perspectives on NUCoL’s impact from community members, artists and creatives and produce a docupoem film to communicate NUCoL’s impact. 

Panya’s First Steps

For Panya, this has so far been a rewarding experience. She has been able to increase her network of poets and deepen her poetic practice. It has also enabled her to begin thinking about her long term goals and aims. 

Panya hopes that the StoryArcs fellowship will serve as a stepping stone toward her becoming a leader in the field of docupoetry. Having the opportunity to develop skills as a docupoet is a great step towards achieving this aim. For NUCoL this fellowship offers them the opportunity to see a poet working in a new way and telling their story in an innovative manner. For audiences, it is hoped that they will gain a greater understanding of the work NUCol is involved in.

The main skills Panya brings to the StoryArcs fellowship is her ability to tell a story as a digital poet. Her strengths include the ability to create engaging poems and work well to a brief. The skills she intends to hone are based around filming techniques, for example, how best to use lighting. 

Interested in story fellows using poetry in their projects? Why not see how Story Fellow ____ is using this Story Skill.

Meet another Story Fellow partnered with University of Nottingham: Panya Banjoko

Have a look at some of the our Fellows who have reached the end of their projects: _____