BCU Alumni bookshelf

Chapter 6, Automating the COVID-19 story in the newsroom, was written by Carmen.

'Waiting at Bloomsbury Park’ is about what it meant for him to grow up in Nechells, Birmingham.

The theme of this poetry collection is about adjusting and adapting, telling the story of Casey’s journey in life so far.

This poetry collection explores the irony of museums using the words ‘please do not touch’ around items that have been stolen from another land, that should have never been touched in the first place.

Nilanjana’s debut explores India’s middle-class, taking a closer look at the gender inequality taking place using anecdotal evidence from real Indian women.

This book explores the pressure felt by women to excel in every aspect of their lives, and the tolls this takes on them.

Chapter 2, Entering the fray: the hyper-competitive PhD environment, is written by Alex.

With all proceeds from the book going to the Brittle Bone Society, it is about the tens of thousands of people who missed out on the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch.

This book provides a comprehensive look at both print and online magazines, and includes case studies, interviews, and practical resources for aspiring editors.

Scraping for Journalists introduces you to a range of scraping techniques - from very simple scraping techniques to more complex challenges.

This short ebook introduces you quickly to key techniques of a 'Data Journalism Heist'. It's about getting in, getting the data, and getting the story out.

A guide to using one of the fastest growing social-and-chat tools to report in compelling new ways for new audiences.

The Online Journalism Handbook offers a comprehensive guide to the ever-evolving world of digital journalism, showcasing the multiple possibilities in researching, writing, and storytelling provided by new technologies.

Chapter 2, Communicating uncertainty in data journalism during the Covid-19 pandemic, was written by Paul.

Join Shane and friends as they attempt to settle the age-old question of which rice dish is the best in this funny and joyful new picture book!

As a nurse and advocate, Claire Blake teamed up with her BCU lecturer Anne Marie Dodson to create a survival guide for student nurses.

Social Work and Beyond is the practical blueprint for anyone looking to broaden their understanding of what’s possible in the social work profession. 

Too Big to Think is the true story of one man, an outsider who unexpectedly found himself thousands of miles from his home, dropped into this volatile situation and tasked with fixing it.

Kris has compiled a photographic survey of the last decade of Birmingham’s railways, showcasing the immense changes the region has seen in the last ten years.

Chapter 1, Nothing About Us, Without Us: Disabled people designing, was written by Amy.

Miley's Mind introduces the concept of mental health in a child-friendly way. It highlights how abuse, bullying and grief impacts emotional well-being, and encourages children to talk about their feelings.

Steff’s comic follows eight-year-old twins Hallie and James, who both have autism and show how Autism can affect people differently. They meet a chef with Autism who teaches them how their Autism can be their superpower.

Olivia’s first collection of poetry, The Calls, includes over 20 poems she wrote whilst completing her Master’s degree at BCU.

Written by Ben Andrews, the Better Places series raises awareness of the issues currently affecting disabled people and introduces these concepts to children at an early age.

Written as a guide to help you navigate out of overwhelm, brain fog, executive dysfunction without medication.

The wonders of existence are explored in Rhianna’s debut poetry collection.

Collated in aid of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, this poetry collection includes contributions from entrants to Rhianna’s Worcestershire Poet Laureate project.

In this poetry collection, Rhianna explores the themes of positive body image, appreciating the body for what it does for us.

As the Worcestershire Poet Laureate for 2022-23, this is Rhianna’s collection of poetry exploring the connection between the land of the living and the parallel realm of spirits and hauntings.

In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her?

The trip of a lifetime turns into a fight to the death when six extreme athletes are taken hostage by pirates off the coast of Africa.

When Fellin is wrongfully arrested for a string of murders there is only one person who can save her... but what if he is the killer? "Do you want to come bone surfing?"

Created for the Queen’s Jubilee, an enthusiastic wiggle of corgis set off to make the Queen a cake, and yes, they added vegan sausages!

Let the golden dream animals invite you into a world of soothing lyrics and imagery. Dream Animals is a bedtime story for dream-time peace.

Created in response to lockdown to support young children with their feelings when separated from others to know that they are being kept in mind.

Written and illustrated by Diane Maybey, the series was commissioned by the charity Molly Olly's wishes.

Filled with colour and kindness, this collection of short stories is created to inspire children to be their most wonderful, brightest, creative selves.

Created to support young children with Road Safety.

Illustrated by Katherine, the book follows James who is shocked to find a Lion in the walls of St Andrews.

Illustrated by Katherine, the book is set in the East Neuk of Fife and followers Brodie Bear’s attempts to become a sailing bear.

This crowdfunded novel marks Katherine’s debut as writer, inspired by her daughter’s first music festival.

Written under the pseudonym Nata Leah, the book was was greatly inspired by the lectures and experiences Nato had at BCU.

In The F Word, Lily explores and celebrates the essence of female friendship at different life stages and in its many wild and wonderful forms.

Peculiar teen Pricilla Phantom’s troubled high school life turns extraordinary when she discovers a mysterious book that draws her into a hidden magical world - one only she can save by defeating a demon overlord.

A slow-burn Victorian mystery filled with tension, household secrets, and a forbidden romance between a butler and his mistress.

Using Sufi prayers and sacred texts as a starting point, Litanies explores doubt, dissent and dislocation, seeking to replace prayer with poetry.

The Echoes of Charulata honours the strength of women, their brave hearts, and the ups and downs of love.

This first book in the Bishalpur Chronicles, River Within Us, will appeal to readers who love emotionally rich, character-driven fiction set against the backdrop of rural Bengal.

The second book in the series, The Fire Beneath the Bamboo is a gripping tale of resistance and renewal - a story of how revolutions survive when the world conspires to snuff them out.

From The Frank Skinner Show to co-writing the football's-coming-home classic Three Lions, his career has never been boring. Here, for the first time, Frank candidly tells us of the highs and lows of his fascinating life.

In this volume of memoirs, Frank Skinner describes his experience of going back on the road doing stand-up again, after many years spent working mainly on television.

For several years, Frank Skinner wrote a weekly column for The Times. Dispatches from the Sofa is the brilliant result.

Frank Skinner wants you to read more poetry. Frank's infectious passion for language, rhythm and metre will provide you with the basic tools you need to tackle any poem.

In this collection of prayers, comedian Frank Skinner blends candid reflections on faith, doubt, and various topics with humour and entertainment, providing a one-sided yet engaging and humorous dialogue with God.

Co-authored with Jenny Plunkett, this practical guide gives engineering professionals an end-to-end framework for solving real-world industrial, commercial, and scientific problems with edge AI. 

Pete Warden and Daniel Situnayake explain how you can train models small enough to fit into any environment. Ideal for software and hardware developers who want to build embedded systems using machine learning.

John Taylor met fellow founding member of Duran Duran, Stephen Duffy, while studying at Birmingham Polytechnic (now BCU).

Publication of Maryam's photography series, Zaibunnisa, including diary entries from Maryam and essays from Bindi Vora and Rabbania Shirjeel.

Chapter 3, Gamification in Education, is written by Jess.