UWE Bristol academic's book chosen by BBC History Magazine as one of its Books of the Year
See all news![Dr Shawn Sobers](/-/media/uwe/images/news/shawn-sobers-850x500.jpg?la=en&h=498&w=847&mw=847&hash=DA8B67DAD8D9C32D1C85C658103BF21C)
A book dedicated to the Windrush generation has been named as one of the BBC History Magazine’s Books of the Year 2023.
‘Black Everyday Lives, Material Culture and Narrative: Tings in de House’ written by Professor Shawn-Naphtali Sobers, is a ground-breaking exploration of everyday life as experienced through the lens of Black British cultural history and creative practice, through a multiplicity of voices and writing styles.
The book tells a mixture of stories including his childhood memories, his parents and their peer generation’s memories, and also draws upon over 200 years of social history to examine culture and identity through objects. It examines life through a personal study of the family home – room by room, object by object – as a portal through which to examine the intricacies and nuances of daily considerations of African heritage people living in Britain in the modern era (post-1950).
It foregrounds the experiences of Black British lives by bringing the threads of history and culture into the relevancy of the present day and demonstrates how the personal sphere directly links to wider public and political concerns.
Shawn said: “I’m really pleased that the book has been noticed and recognised in this way. The book contains some very personal memories and reflections, as well as broader academic exploration, and writing it was a labour of love very close to my heart and what was going on in life. I’m humbled it has received such a positive reaction, and I’m just thankful to have had the opportunity to share this important history and stories with a wider audience.”
BBC History panellist Hannah Cusworth commented: “Black Everyday Lives, Material Culture and Narrative: Tings in de House (Routledge) by Shawn-Naphtali Sobers is a beautiful book. Room by room, it explores and celebrates Black British life. From the photo wall in the living room to the Dutch pot in the kitchen, Sobers deftly weaves together history and anthropology to show how the personal links to the political. His foregrounding of objects present in so many Black British homes made this a poignant read.”
Shawn is a Professor of Cultural Interdisciplinary Practice and Director of the Critical Race and Culture Research Network at UWE Bristol.
View the full list of Books of the Year.
Related news
![Someone holds the world in their hands in a pool of water](/-/media/uwe/images/news/climate-theatre-project-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=671411EFE5D11C702F789A85526F61DF)
26 June 2024
Water security and climate action to be explored through theatre with communities
UWE Bristol will support an international research project that will embed theatre practice to work with less heard communities who face water insecurity.
![UWE Bristol student winners celebrate at the awards](/-/media/uwe/images/news/kodak-film-success-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=43347748CE5732C537F624F7995195BC)
05 June 2024
Outstanding success for student filmmakers
Held in London, the third-year students came away with an unprecedented eight awards at the Kodak/Nahemi Student Commercial Awards.
![UWE Bristol student Emily Annakin stands smiling with the Clifton Suspension Bridge behind her with hot air balloons flying in the distance](/-/media/uwe/images/news/showcase-emily-annakin-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=BCBBB446ADE1E74125F4AC8AE3B47B1F)
04 June 2024
Urban places and spaces should be accessible for all, says UWE Bristol student
Student Emily Annakin is hoping to land her dream job, using her own experience of visual impairment to design inclusive urban spaces.
![Photo shows image of Sir Peter Bazalgette](/-/media/uwe/images/news/sir-peter-bazalgette-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=84E0DACB4233CB3451E72D2A635FB830)
24 May 2024
Creative industry leader appointed new Chancellor of UWE Bristol
A leader in the UK’s creative industries, Sir Peter Bazalgette, has been appointed the new Chancellor of UWE Bristol.
![A photographer using an old-fashioned camera to take an photo of Stonehenge, with a backdrop of a blue sky](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/stonehenge-photography-main-image-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=82D3AA342D3552BF0055E5180A7BFE8E)
22 May 2024
Academic retraces footsteps of Victorian photography pioneer behind Led Zeppelin album cover
A UWE Bristol researcher has used old-fashioned photography methods to recreate images by a Victorian photographer noted for taking an iconic photo that became a Led Zeppelin album cover.
![Students Carla Mabb and Kian Swainston, with arts programme manager Donna Baber stand in front of the photography exhibition at the Brunel building](/-/media/uwe/images/news/southmead-photography-students-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8F7C033B6A1B622CA31C8349566952C4)
10 May 2024
UWE Bristol student photos showcase 10 years of the Brunel building
Striking images have been captured by student photographers for an exhibition marking 10 years since the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital opened.
![UWE Bristol illustration student stands in front of a double decker bus featuring her winning design](/-/media/uwe/images/news/bus-wrap-women-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8BF20578EE978EA8470162FCD4E953AA)
09 May 2024
Winning bus design by UWE Bristol student
A new bus wrap designed by student Rosalyn Burroughs has been unveiled to mark 80 years since the first female bus drivers were employed in Bristol.
![Student Nikola Asojana's concept for an activist hub 'Ground for Change' which shows a forum space in Bristol where members of the public can meet](/-/media/uwe/images/news/degree-showcase-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6A8B1AC052C4B2632C530A87AAE04354)
07 May 2024
Graduating students gear up to present their work at annual Showcase
UWE Bristol's Showcase offers visitors the chance to discover a new generation of talent from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.
![Artist Mr Doodle drawing with a pen while sat on the floor, with the floor and wall covered in black doodle art on a white background](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/mr-doodle-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DE7AB621C29B08887024970908FDC435)
22 April 2024
UWE Bristol graduate Mr Doodle set to stage first museum exhibition
A former UWE Bristol illustration student is preparing to present his first ever UK museum exhibition.
![UWE Bristol students perform as part of the Open Studios exhibition at Spike Island in 2023 - photo credit Dan Weill Photography](/-/media/uwe/images/news/spike-island-credit-dan-weill-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=210A78456E2D4D73BC090231E73C0875)
15 April 2024
UWE Bristol art students to showcase their work during Spike Island’s Open Studios
Open Studios gives the chance to go behind the scenes at Spike Island - home to UWE Bristol Fine Art, over 70 artists’ studios, and Spike Print Studio.
![A group of students from UWE Bristol showing their awards for Best Drama at the RTS Awards](/-/media/uwe/images/news/rts-awards-drama-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=38C6D489B3068E0690201796A616EE0D)
19 March 2024
Success for students at regional RTS Awards
Students and graduates from UWE Bristol took home the top prize in four categories of the RTS West of England Student Awards held at Watershed in Bristol on 4 March 2024.
![Shaila Afroj UWE Senior Research Fellow](/-/media/uwe/images/news/shaila-afroj-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=A0CF47D10F8EAA2FC54D8DD7E7845F03)
13 February 2024
Funding secured to develop sustainable health-monitoring e-textiles
A UWE Bristol academic has been given a New Investigator Award to further develop wearable sustainable e-textiles to monitor heart patients.
You may also be interested in
![Media enquiries](/-/media/uwe/images/news/media-enquiries-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DEC2ADF76427D486E3F096155E2569C0)
Media enquiries
Enquiries related to news releases and press and contacts for the media team.
![Lecturer with students](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-experts-findanexpert-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F991F840D7340AF990327391B1A7F10E)
Find an expert
Media contacts are invited to check out the vast range of subjects where UWE Bristol can offer up expert commentary.