A plaque was unveiled today in the heart of Brunel University London’s campus in memory of the late Professor Benjamin Zephaniah, the prolific poet, writer, performer, actor, activist and Professor of Creative Writing at the university. His widow, Qian Zephaniah, gave a moving tribute at the event, attended by hundreds as part of Brunel’s annual staff garden party.
Last December, the passing of Prof Benjamin Zephaniah sent shockwaves and sadness across the Brunel community and the rest of the world. Aged 65, the Birmingham-born pioneer died of a brain tumour that had been diagnosed just eight weeks before.
Born to Caribbean parents, Prof Zephaniah was heavily influenced by his heritage, which he proudly showcased in his writing, poetry and performances while addressing racism, environmental issues and promoting social justice. He was awarded a BAFTA in 2021 for his spoken-word TV series Life & Rhymes, and he had a recurring role in the hit BBC drama Peaky Blinders.
The newly unveiled plaque honours and celebrates the life and legacy of Prof Zephaniah and takes pride of place in the university’s redeveloped outdoor community space, the Quad, now renamed as Benjamin Zephaniah Square.
A close-up of the new plaque
Opening the event, Prof Andrew Jones, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “Benjamin joined Brunel in 2011 as Chair of Creative Writing – his first academic position. In that role, he brought his unique voice, his commitment to social justice and his belief in the power of words to inspire change. His job, as he saw it, was to share his knowledge and to help our students to find their own voices.
Prof Andrew Jones, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President, speaking at the event
“To Benjamin’s family and friends, thank you for sharing him with us. I hope you can see that his impact here at Brunel is immeasurable.
“As we unveil this plaque, we celebrate Benjamin’s extraordinary contributions, not only to literature and education but also to the causes he championed throughout his life.”
While addressing staff and guests in Benjamin Zephaniah Square, Prof Jones added: “Let this be a lasting tribute to Professor Benjamin Zephaniah – a man who taught us all that poetry and performance is a force for good, for understanding and for change.”
Qian Zephaniah attended the event with family and friends and thanked the Brunel community for their continued support. Since Benjamin’s passing, Qian has upcycled Benjamin’s stylish wardrobe and chose to wear a hat and suit that belonged to her husband.
Qian Zephaniah speaking at the event
Qian shared Benjamin’s poem People Need People – from his 2023 children’s picture book, which won the Queen’s Knickers Award earlier this year – and she reiterated the importance of people needing people.
Prof Bernardine Evaristo and Prof Hannah Lowe, award-winning authors from Brunel’s Creative Writing department, also paid tribute to their former colleague, as did Dr Jessica Cox, the divisional lead for English and Creative Writing.
Left to right: Dr Jessica Cox, Prof Bernardine Evaristo, Qian Zephaniah, Prof Hannah Lowe and
Prof Andrew Jones, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President, in Benjamin Zephaniah Square.
Prof Lowe read Prof Zephaniah’s poem Nature Trail, and Prof Evaristo introduced an anthology of poetry and prose titled Borderless, recently published by Brunel Creative Writing students and graduates in tribute to their much-loved professor.
Prof Bernardine Evaristo speaking at the event and holding the new anthology 'Borderless'
The anthology features emerging writers and covers themes that were close to Prof Zephaniah’s heart, including belonging, home and environmentalism. Recent graduates Neelam Sharma and Libby Rochester read poems from the book, along with Helen Williams, a doctoral researcher. All profits from the anthology will be donated to the charity Inquest, of which Prof Zephaniah was a patron.
Prof Andrew Jones closed the event by thanking Qian and Prof Zephaniah’s family and friends, adding: “I would like to thank the Brunel community for sharing your memories. I know we will continue to remember and celebrate the phenomenal impact Benjamin had on Brunel.”
Prof Benjamin Zephaniah at Brunel University London (c) Qian Zephaniah
Prof Benjamin Zephaniah’s children's book People Need People is available to purchase from several outlets recommended by its publisher Hachette
Borderless: A Literary Anthology, edited by Alexia Guglielimi, Harshita Kaushik, Sundus Hassan-Nooli, Mira Mookerjee, Mahjaben Hussain and Neelam Sharma, is available from Amazon
Reported by:
Nadine Palmer,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 267090
nadine.palmer@brunel.ac.uk