Bradford student champions children’s creativity in age of AI
A University of Bradford student is encouraging children to discover their creative voices at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we read, write, and communicate.
David Ben Eke is looking for children aged between five and 17 from the Bradford district to write short stories and poems for his next two books.
This follows the LLB (Hons) Law student’s first edition, ‘Blooming Under Bradford Skies’, released last year, which featured short stories and poems about the city by 22 Bradford-based writers.
Celebration of Bradford
David, President of the University’s Creative Writing Society, has plans to release two editions of the book showcasing youngster’s storytelling, one featuring short stories of up to 500 words or one poem from children aged five to 11, and the other of stories of up to 1,000 words, or up to two poems, by youngsters from 12 to 17.
He said: “The new book is about getting young people to start imagining and using their day-to-day experiences to create. We need to think about how we can preserve creative writing, especially in this age of AI.
“My books are a celebration of Bradford and its culture. With storytelling, we can influence the general spirit of a culture. We covered short stories and poems by adults in the first book, now we want to do them with children.
“I want to publish this other set of books, targeting Bradford’s young people, knowing that the city is one of the UK’s youngest.”
He also hopes to hold creative writing sessions with pupils in Bradford district schools next year and is already planning to release a third edition of the books, featuring adult’s story contributions, in 2027. It would then become an annual project, featuring contributions from both children, teenagers, and adults, from 2028.
David Ben Eke, a University of Bradford Law student, is looking for children’s short stories and poems for his latest book project. Images credit: University of Bradford
‘Special place in my heart’
Originally from Nigeria, David moved to Bradford in 2021 to start his studies at the University of Bradford, which have also included a Foundation Year and placement.
David, who will graduate this summer, said: “Bradford will always have a special place in my heart. It is the first place I moved to away from my family in Nigeria. My brother is also coming to the University of Bradford to study Law from later this year.
“My first book has been amazing. People have shed tears, reading some of the stories. Some authors have also started working on novels of their own. The book featured short stories and poems from diverse groups; some of them, people who have been in Bradford since the 1950s.”
Parents can submit their children’s short stories or poems to David for inclusion in his forthcoming books, by emailing davideke359@gmail.com
Blooming Under Bradford Skies, priced £10.05, is available on amazon.co.uk
Image caption (top of page): ‘Blooming Under Bradford Skies’, a book of short stories, curated by David Ben Eke, which was released last year. Images credit: University of Bradford