Is imagination stronger than reality? Writing as escapism
University of Aberdeen Linklater Rooms, Elphinstone Hall., Aberdeen, AB24 3DR
Thursday 8th October 2026
Based on her own experiences of using creative writing as a coping mechanism to heal from the trauma of war and conflict in Afghanistan, LLM student Hossa Skandary-Macpherson will facilitate this creative writing workshop exploring writing as a form of escapism. The focus of the workshop will be on process rather than outcome, and provide the opportunity for participants to share and learn from each other’s lived experiences.
Hossa Skandary-Macpherson’s career has always been centred on helping people and institutions work across cultures. Hossa started in education, where she spent ten years teaching French and supporting young people as a boarding housemistress. Alongside that, she became increasingly involved in community leadership through organising cultural events such as Nowruz Aberdeen and volunteering with the Scottish Refugee Council. Today, she works as a public service interpreter supporting the Scottish courts, NHS, Home Office, police and local authorities, while studying for an LLM specialising in energy governance and regulation. Across all these roles, the common thread is building trust between people, cultures and institutions.
Find the full programme, including accessibility information, at www.waywordfestival.com
Hossa Skandary-Macpherson’s career has always been centred on helping people and institutions work across cultures. Hossa started in education, where she spent ten years teaching French and supporting young people as a boarding housemistress. Alongside that, she became increasingly involved in community leadership through organising cultural events such as Nowruz Aberdeen and volunteering with the Scottish Refugee Council. Today, she works as a public service interpreter supporting the Scottish courts, NHS, Home Office, police and local authorities, while studying for an LLM specialising in energy governance and regulation. Across all these roles, the common thread is building trust between people, cultures and institutions.
Find the full programme, including accessibility information, at www.waywordfestival.com
