Surfacing Zarqa Workshop Engages Young People in Reimagining Jordan’s Industrial Heartland
CBRL recently hosted a three-day workshop from 14 to 16 July at its Amman Institute as part of the Surfacing Zarqa: Heritage, Space and Youth in Jordan’s Industrial Heartland project.
The project aims to strengthen young people’s connection to their urban environment through oral history, collaborative research, and creative expression. The workshop is part of a wider effort to co-create an online exhibition and a multi-modal public space which celebrates Zarqa city’s rich heritage.
The workshop focused on building research capacity among young research assistants from Zarqa, equipping them with tools and guidance to conduct place-based oral histories and socio-spatial investigations. These interviews and fieldwork will inform a digital exhibition hosted by CBRL, showcasing personal narratives and lived experiences that illuminate Zarqa’s complex identity.
Over the three days, participants engaged with leading figures from diverse fields, refining their interview skills and developing new approaches to storytelling and research.
On the first day, Rakan Alkhawaldeh, journalist and content creator, led a session on constructing narratives and interview techniques. Rakan offered feedback on each participant’s interviews and shared practical strategies for strengthening their storytelling and media skills.
On the second day, Arzaq Abu Eid, anthropologist, guided participants in analysing recurring themes within their interview material. Through group exercises and discussion, researchers reflected on the cultural, social, and emotional layers embedded in the stories they had collected.
Finally on the third day, Rawan Nakhleh, journalist, introduced participants to editing practices and media production, including podcasts, videos, and visual storytelling. Her session focused on how different formats can bring oral histories to life in accessible and compelling ways.
The interviews collected and refined during the project will serve as the foundation for a public exhibition and community events later this year. As the project continues to evolve, it will highlight the voices and visions of young people in Zarqa; reclaiming and reshaping the narrative of a city too often overlooked.
The Surfacing Zarqa project is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Sarah Linn (Manchester Metropolitan University) in partnership with Co-Investigator Dr. Hala Ghanem from Hashemite University and is part of the ODA International Interdisciplinary Research Projects 2024, funded by the British Academy. The project examines how participatory historical and geographical research can empower young people to reimagine the spatial and cultural identity of Zarqa, Jordan’s second-largest city and a key industrial hub.
CBRL is proud to support this innovative and collaborative initiative, which reinforces our commitment to bridging academic research with community empowerment across the Levant.
Read more about the project on the links below:
Surfacing Zarqa | Project Website
Surfacing Zarqa: heritage, space and youth in Jordan’s industrial heartland | British Academy
