Behind the Wire is an award-winning oral history project which documented the stories of people who were detained by the Australian government after seeking asylum in Australia. Founded in 2014, Behind the Wire has shared these stories through a website, book, podcast, and exhibition.

This report, ‘Getting My Dignity Back’, is based on interviews by University of Melbourne researchers exploring the experiences of 10 people who participated in the Behind the Wire project. These interviews found that the project successfully provided accounts of multiple histories; a space for self-expression, connection and personal growth; and a way for people to be politically active and express support and solidarity. ‘Behind the Wire’ is at once a political project and a work of art, and ‘Getting My Dignity Back’ shares participants’ experiences and ideas and shows the profound impacts that it had.

Report authors Sarah Strauven, Jordana Silverstein and Karen Block, together with Behind the Wire coordinators André Dao and Michael Green, and some of the Behind the Wire participants who participated in the study invite you to join us in a conversation to celebrate its launch.

This event is hosted by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness.

To discuss any accessibility requirements, please get in touch via social-equity@unimelb.edu.au or +61 3 8344 7603.