From Safe Spaces to Studio Sessions: Songwriting, Storytelling and the Power of Being Heard

Building on her previous blog, Amplifying Creative Voices: Celebrating Expression, postgraduate research student Nysha returns with a new post reflecting on her journey into songwriting. This series reflects on events facilitated by Dr Metka Potočnik as part of the Thats Me! Project, eliminating barriers to postgraduate research study. 

Author: Nysha Givans, Institute of Education

This blog is a reflection on an innovative and rewarding period, where I was able to learn a new skill, songwriting and how this can empower and heal. 

As I mentioned last time, this wasn’t your standard academic workshop, this was a series of events carefully carried out throughout the last 4 months. No awkward icebreakers. No soul-destroying PowerPoint slides. Instead, the emphasis was on creativity, self-expression, and building a safe, supportive space. And yes – those spaces do exist, even in higher education.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Dr Potočnik as a Student Co-Creator and storyteller within Workstream 3. I was paired with two exceptional songwriters, Thiago Jorge and Rejoice Abudar, and we were lucky to be joined by  Lucy Barka, Monette Allison – a team who curated a genuinely nurturing and positive environment. Together with my fellow storytellers – Tanya Mpofu, Kerensa Hodge, Comfort Ayelomi, and Anderline Amamgbo – we explored our various themes in ways that were heartfelt, honest, and occasionally hilarious.

Now, full disclosure: I entered the process with absolutely zero expectation that I’d be writing a song, let alone five. I wasn’t deluded – I’m self-aware enough to know I’m no Raye. And if past experiences taught me anything, it’s that so-called “safe spaces” aren’t always what they claim to be. Trauma, once shared, can sometimes be diluted or exploited for public consumption. But this was different.

This time, the “safe space pledge” wasn’t just words on a wall. It was honoured in every interaction. For the first time, I felt like my wellbeing was prioritised – and that set a new standard for me. Moving forward, any space I enter or create will be held to the same expectation.

The songwriting process was unique for each of us. My own method involved playing songs that have deeply influenced me – from Tupac’s Hit ‘Em Up to Murkage Dave’s Same Old Spot. Music is my therapy. (For context, Spotify tells me I listened to over 293,000 minutes of it last year.)

The team’s patience, encouragement, and empathy gave me the freedom to be creative without judgement. I ended up writing five songs, two of which were recorded with support from Joe Geoghan at the University’s Film School. It was my first time in a recording studio, and yes, I was nervous – despite being Beyoncé’s vocal twin in the shower. In real life? Let’s just say my vocals are...passable.

Joe was fantastic – he set up the space, explained everything, and kept the vibe calm and collaborative. His guidance made the experience far less intimidating and genuinely enjoyable.

 Recording day was an emotional rollercoaster. Hearing everyone’s songs – their vulnerability, strength, and raw emotion – was powerful. Cracked voices, quiet sobs, spontaneous laughter – it was all there. Despite writing separately, a recurring theme emerged: the desire to be heard, and the reclamation of our voices.

We even got to be part of each other’s tracks – gang vocals (a new term I learned!) brought us together around a mic, yelling our collective truths into the void. It was as close to a war cry as you can get in a recording booth, and it felt cathartic and unifying.

Though the workstream has now come to a close, I’m walking away with more than just songs. I’ve made friends, gained confidence, and – perhaps most excitingly – I’ve run a test pilot that’s directly feeding into my PhD thesis. The S.A.M. (Songwriting As Method) project explores songwriting as a research method(ology), and this experience has shown me its potential.

Better still, I’ve successfully in applying for research assistant post on the S.A.M project examining songwriting as methodology in law and business – proof that this approach has real, interdisciplinary value.

So... what now? An EP? An album? A cheeky Grammy? While I enjoy a sprinkle of delusion (who doesn’t?), I’m more focused on continuing to learn, grow, and explore the role of creative methods in research.

Moving forward I am looking for to the collective songs will be received in the community.  The songs have been played at The F-List 2025 conference held at ICMP, London and the response was extremely positive. The next community event will be the Spoken Research to Truth event on Monday 23^rd June 12-2pm, on the first floor of the Harrison Library, City Campus at the Tiny Desk corner being hosted and facilitated by Kerensa Hodge, the Community of Practice Co-Ordinator for the That’s Me Project.