Seven Questions with... Evie Robinson

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I chose to study English Literature because I've always loved reading. Not only is reading such a creative outlet, but it allows you to learn new things and develop a more enhanced and empathetic understanding of the world.

I'd love to incorporate my creativity into my chosen career, so in the future I hope to stay in the arts and creative sector – hopefully either as a writer or journalist, or in the publishing industry.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

My time at UCL has been full of exciting and interesting projects. Alongside directing UCL Musical Theatre Society's Bloomsbury production of RENT, and managing Pi Media, UCL's student newspaper, I've also spent my time at university as an ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust. I've always been really passionate about education, anti-racism and equality, and an integral part of my contribution to the UCL community is advancing Holocaust Education as a way of tackling hate and discrimination in general. I've written both digital and print articles, hosted my own events, and collaborated with the wonderful UCL Jewish Society. To mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2022, I interviewed some key people working in Holocaust Education. You can have a read of the piece here.

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

As a bit of a bookworm, I've spent my university years scoping out the London book-shop scene, and have found a particular gem called BookBar, located in Highbury, not too far from UCL. It's a coffee shop by day, and wine bar by night, always equipped with stacks of new books – a very wholesome safe-haven to spend time reading or socialising with friends.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

1. See a West End show (definitely the theatre-lover in me giving this advice) – my favourite show currently playing is definitely Come From Away, an amazing musical about the kindness of strangers when disaster strikes.
2. Primrose Hill – probably my favourite place to spend a weekend in London. Lots of green space and good coffee shops, plus I always seem to see someone famous when I'm there (Helen Bonham-Carter was the latest in this line!)
3. Marylebone High Street – one of my favourite streets in London, only a few minutes' walk from Oxford Street. Daunt Books is definitely worth a visit – it's a gorgeous independent bookshop known for its vast stock of books from across the world.

What’s one thing you’d like to see in a post-Covid world?

I'd love to see people continue to make new connections and re-foster old ones. I've been lucky enough to meet some incredible new friends in my final year at university by getting even more involved with the arts, and I hope other people start to feel comfortable enough again to do the same.

Who inspires you and why?

I've long been an admirer of Zadie Smith, a formidable Black-British writer whose novels are amongst my favourite of all time. I wrote my dissertation on Smith, and it made me fall in love with her work more! Outside of her fiction writing, her essay collection, Imitations – published in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus lockdown – is a particular gem.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I'm a real lover of trashy TV, especially The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (though I'm slightly ashamed to admit it). It's definitely a guilty pleasure, and a great outlet for relaxing away from academic work!