Join us, as after nearly 5 years as the Research Lead at Watershed we say goodbye to Furaha Asani. This will be a slightly different format of a lunchtime talk. Talent Development Producer Tony Bhajam will be in conversation with Furaha, talking about a range of topics from Watershed's inclusive recruitment process (which Furaha was one of the first Watershed members of staff to be recruited by), to some of the fantastic projects and enquiries the research team have produced and supported over the past five years, and also the Studio's theme for this year: home, and how the theme has played out for them both in the overlap of professional and personal life.

 

Dr. Furaha Asani joined Watershed as Research Lead at the end of November 2020. Her background is in Biochemistry and Immunology, but over the years she's pivoted in and around public engagement, creative production, public scholarship, research leadership, as well as combinations of all. Furaha is a well-practiced jack of all trades. Within Watershed, she has supported research strategy, project management and delivery, and line managing a brilliant team of action researchers and creative producers. Furaha is also an award-winning teacher and public speaker, writer, mental health advocate, and loud anti-racism practitioner. She has a strong portfolio of written and produced work (which you can view on her website: www.furahaasani.com). Furaha is very grateful for the opportunity to have been part of Watershed, the Studio community, and our wider network, and hopes to remain a part of this community going forward.

 

Please come along to wish Furaha all the best in her next chapter. There will be doughnuts*, vegetarian samosas, and gluten-free cake slices, so feel free to grab a cup of tea/coffee from the Studio's kitchenette and make yourself comfortable in our events space. Soft seating will be provided, and there will be time for Q&A.

 

*Please note that we'll ensure no doughnuts with nuts are amongst the batch we purchase, but we can't guarantee no cross-contamination from the source. If you're attending and you have a nut allergy please let us know (by emailing furaha.a@watershed.co.uk) so we can ensure we provide a 'free-from' cake slice for you.

 

Content and Trigger Warnings: Please note that topics that may come up might include mental illness, racism, the hostile environment and borders more widely, sickness, death, and epistemic homelessness.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday, the 19th of September 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.