Empathy, Narrative and Cultural Values
The 'Empathy, Narrative and Cultural Values' (ENCV) project is led by the University of Birmingham and the University of Exeter, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
It delves into the intricate dynamics of narrative perception and empathy among South Asian Muslim communities in the West Midlands. We investigate how cultural values, particularly those rooted in Islam, shape individuals' engagement with stories, especially in educational and health contexts.
By studying the narratives embraced by students at Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College and those shared by cancer patients and caregivers interacting with 'Cancer Champions' at Green Lane Masjid, we aim to illuminate the role of faith and culture in narrative interpretation.
Our goal is to not only enrich our understanding of multicultural interpretative practices but also inform pedagogical approaches and health communication strategies for more inclusive and effective outcomes.
Research team
Research team
- Professor Peter Morey – Lead Investigator
- Professor Amina Yaqin – Co-Investigator
- Dr Eva Momtaz – Research Fellow
- Dr Fatima Naveed - Research Fellow
Partner organisations
Partner organisations
- Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College
- Narrative 4
- Green Lane Masjid
Activities and events
Activities and events
Upcoming Events:
- 6th July 2026: Secondary Education Workshop at the National Literacy Trust Secondary School Conference, The Saffron Centre, Birmingham
- 16 July 2026: Symposium on Empathy, Narrative & Cultural Values in Muslim Cancer Journeys, Green Lane Masjid Register here.
- 4 November 2026: Education Symposium on Empathy, Narrative & Cultural Values. Registration details to be confirmed.
Previous Activities and Events
Conferences, Seminars and Presentations
- CCEH Seminar Series, University of Exeter — Empathy, Narrative and Cultural Values in Community Cancer Conversations (March 2026)
- Reflective Reading CPD, University of Birmingham — Engaging Students Through Unseen Texts (March 2026)
- West Midlands Cancer Alliance Presentation — ENCV Findings and Next Steps (February 2026)
- EDI in Research Culture Conference, University of Birmingham — Empathy, Narrative, and Cultural Values: How Faith and Cultural Values Shape Narrative Engagement Among Muslims in Education and Health (May 2025)
- Thinking Forwards: Collaboration, The English Association (September 2024)
- Health Symposium, Green Lane Masjid (February 2024)
School-Based Activities
- Unseen Reflections and Perspective Shift Exercises — Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College (October 2024, January 2025, April 2025)
- Story Exchanges — Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College (June 2024, September 2024, February 2025)
Contact us
Contact us
For inquiries and collaboration, please contact us at encv@contacts.bham.ac.uk