NTU Students Help Take the Lawrence Legacy Global in Beijing
Students from Nottingham Trent University are playing a central role in an international cultural partnership that is bringing the work and legacy of D. H. Lawrence to new audiences in China.
Published on 19 February 2026
As part of their Media Production and Tourism module, NTU BA (Hons) Media Production students have been at the heart of an exciting international cultural exchange celebrating one of Nottinghamshire’s most famous literary figures, D.H. Lawrence. This unique partnership between D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum,NTU, and Beijing Language and Culture University is bringing Lawrence’s legacy to audiences across the globe during this year’s Spring Festival in China.
This collaboration, launched in 2024, began when students at Beijing Language and Culture University created an exhibition inspired by Lawrence’s life, his upbringing in Eastwood, and his broad creative journey. Originally displayed at the museum in Eastwood, the exhibition is now being showcased in Beijing, extending the reach of English literature and British cultural heritage.
In 2025, the partnership deepened when original artefacts from the Lawrence museum’s handling collection were loaned to students in Beijing. These tangible pieces of cultural history have informed creative and academic projects, giving students there a closer connection to Lawrence’s work and to museum practice.
Exchange students from Beijing posing for a picture with the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum volunteers
A group of exchange students from Beijing who are currently studying at NTU have been actively involved in the partnership:
- Creative Video Project: They’ve produced a series of videos filmed in Lawrence’s birthplace, featuring readings of his poems alongside selected works by Chinese authors. These artistic pieces highlight cross-cultural dialogue and creative reflection rooted in literary traditions.
- Volunteer Conservation Experience: Several students took part in the museum’s annual Deep Clean - an essential behind-the-scenes activity to care for and preserve museum collections. One exchange student, Rhea, shared how volunteering in the historic spaces deepened her appreciation for both museum work and Lawrence’s enduring influence.
NTU students Peter Beardsley and Maia Lonergan filming in the museum gardens
This global collaboration exemplifies the kind of international learning experiences available to NTU students - whether through cultural exchanges, creative projects or heritage-focused academic study. NTU’s global outlook offers students the chance to:
- deepen their understanding of global cultures,
- work on real-world international projects,
- and collaborate across borders with peers from leading universities.
What began as a student-led exhibition in Beijing inspired by Lawrence’s life in Eastwood has now evolved into a two-way cultural partnership, with activity taking place in both Nottinghamshire and Beijing.
For NTU students, this collaboration reflects the University’s global outlook and commitment to experiential learning. It demonstrates how local heritage - rooted in Nottinghamshire - can spark international dialogue and creative collaboration.
As the project continues to grow, it stands as a powerful example of how NTU students are not only studying global culture, but actively shaping it, taking a literary legacy from Broxtowe to Beijing.