Val McDermid with Danny Dorling, Geetha Marcus & Joelle Taylor - at Edinburgh International Book Festival 2019

WHAT DOES HOMELESSNESS MEAN? 

The Open University in Scotland is pleased to support this event as part of The OU 50th Anniversary Series at Edinburgh International Book Festival 2019. 

This discussion led by one of the festival's guest selectors, Val McDermid, author and OU honorary graduate, explores the many forms of homelessness: sleeping rough, sofa surfing, living in cars and temporary accommodation.

Geographer Danny Dorling presents evidence about homelessness in British cities, while award-winning poet and playwright Joelle Taylor performs verse responding to her experiences.

Glasgow-based sociologist Geetha Marcus discusses the lives of young women in Scotland’s traveller community.

Tickets are on sale on the Edinburgh International Book Festival website.  

You can try OU course content for free on the OpenLearn site, such as the 8-hour course Writing what you know and the 1-hour course Homelessness and need. 

The OU works closely with organisations supporting homeless people across Scotland, such as the OU partnership with Cyrenians.