Activities and events
The Global Study Lounge offers a variety of academic, social and cultural activities and events. Staff and students are welcome to attend and host activities and events in the Global Study Lounge free of charge. See Booking and Contact Information for further details.
You can find out more about the regularly occurring activities and events in the Global Study Lounge below. Check out the Global Study Lounge's timetable(s) to see when events are happening. For details on upcoming events, see 'Event Notices'.
The Global Study Lounge's timetable is available on CMISGo. Follow the guidance for finding rooms on CMISGo. To find the timetables for the Global Study Lounge, search for the following:
- Edith Morley 230 for the Lounge itself.
- Edith Morley 230POD1 for enclosed bookable Pod 1.
- Edith Morley 230POD2 for enclosed bookable Pod 2.
- Edith Morley 230POD3 for semi-enclosed bookable Pod 3.
Sign up to the Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list to be kept informed of what’s going on in the Lounge, across campus, and in the wider community.
In addition to the Conversation Cafés, the Global Study Lounge hosts, runs, or promotes the following:
Our Friday Get-Togethers take place every 2 weeks during Semesters 1 and 2. They are informal so you can drop-in and take part in a variety of different activities and meet new people! It’s a chance for you to socialise and do something completely different from your studies at the end of the week to help you relax and unwind before the weekend. Activities include, but aren’t limited to, crafting, origami, mindfulness colouring, Zine-making, quizzing and board gaming. Get-Togethers also have a specific focus for festive and seasonal celebrations throughout the year! Check out the timetable for specific dates and times by clicking on 'Friday Get-Togethers' above.
Reading International Festival
Reading International Festival is a season of events held each autumn that celebrate Reading’s diverse communities and action groups. The programme highlights the many internationalist activities, twinning links and solidarity in Reading, and showcases positive examples of people changing the status quo by choosing to live and act to create a better world for all. The Festival includes Black History Month and One World Week events. This year’s theme is: Hungry For Peace. Download the full programme of events for this year’s festival, which runs 12 October – 10 November 2024.
Ask the Academic English Programme Team Service
Every weekday during semesters, the Academic English Programme (AEP) runs their free ‘Ask the Team’ service in the Global Study Lounge. Between 13:00-14:00 on Monday-Friday, you can talk to an Academic English tutor about Academic English, language skills, and assessment and writing styles. The Lounge also hosts bookable individual Academic English Programme consultations.
Specific foundation modules run their drop-in sessions in the Global Study Lounge. You can consult a foundation module tutor on any module-related matter during these free timetabled sessions as part of your programme of study.
Our foundation programmes also use the Lounge for registration and induction events, academic tutorials and attendance meetings, and for activities on their social programmes. Keep an eye on the Lounge's timetable to see what’s happening in the Lounge specifically for our foundation students or ask your tutors.
The Institute-Wide Language Programme (IWLP) hold their Language Taster Sessions in the Global Study Lounge. These run during welcome week in September and at other points during the academic year. All staff and students can attend a free 30-minute taster session in any of the following languages: Arabic, British Sign Language (BSL), Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Russian and Spanish.
The International Student Advisory team help and support international students. They often run sessions in the Global Study Lounge, including activities and events focused on the International Student Experience. Past events have included bingo, Christmas activities such as gingerbread house design, quizzes, tea and biscuit meet-ups and many more. Check out the Lounge's timetable to see what's coming up!
Sign up to the Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list to be kept informed of what’s going on in the Lounge and from the International Student team.
The International Student team also promote activity from HOST UK. Find out more about them by watching the video below from Reading Student Grace or by coming along to 'Tea and Biscuits with HOST UK' in the Global Study Lounge during the semester.
The Study Abroad team hold many events, such as drop-in Q&A sessions, in the Global Study Lounge for both incoming and outgoing mobility students. See ‘Global Opportunities’ for further information about Study Abroad and watch the video below to find out what Study Abroad students think about Reading.
The Global Study Lounge hosts a number of workshops based around the University’s Global Graduate attributes. Attendance of these can be used towards your Red Global Engagement Award. Past workshops include 'Exploring intercultural encounters' and 'Becoming a global graduate'. For further details, contact red@reading.ac.uk.
Reading Students’ Union Clubs and Societies
Reading Students’ Union has over 150 clubs and societies. Many choose to run their events in the Global Study Lounge. There is no charge for clubs and societies to run an event in the Lounge, see Getting Involved and Booking Information to find out more, however participants usually have to be a paid member of the club or society. Clubs and Societies who have run events in the Lounge in the past include the Photography Society, the International Society, the Chinese Society, the Ukrainian Society, and the Kuwaiti Society. See the video below showing an event from the Japanese Society (JSoc).
Global Study Lounge Affiliated Events
Sometimes the Lounge isn't large enough to accommodate wider cultural celebrations and events, such as events for Diwali and the Lunar New Year. These are often hosted at alternative venues on campus such as in the Palmer Building or in the Reading Students' Union building. See the video below showing the University's Navruz celebrations.
Other Events
If you would like to lead or run an activity or event, or have an idea for an event that can take place in the Global Study Lounge, see Getting Involved and Booking and Contact Information for more information.
Staff events are also welcome in the Global Study Lounge. Past staff events have included departmental, school, and Community of Practice meetings, CPD and training sessions, Open Day events, book launches, and as a conference venue. The Lounge also hosts research and scholarship dissemination and talks.