Dr Aiysha Jahan is a writer, mentor and lecturer in Creative Writing, with an interest in contemporary fiction that explores identity and belonging in South Asian immigrant communities, particularly in the middle east.

She completed a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Southampton for which she wrote both fiction and nonfiction that explores the Third-culture-kid experience in the middle east.

She co-founded the Write Beyond Borders mentoring programme, a transnational writer development scheme that brings together new and experienced writers of South Asian background. The project has seen new writers go on to procure publishing deals, win prizes and attend highly-competitive writing residencies.

She is particularly interested in developing writing projects that serve local communities. She works regularly with schools and young people in the community to explore themes of home and belonging through writing.

Dr Jahan teaches both critical and creative writing, with a focus on the short story form. Students who would like advice on developing their short fiction skills can book an appointment here.