We are

Not A Stranger.

Not A Stranger is a migrant-led initiative dedicated to advancing public understanding of migration experiences and supporting migrant communities to participate actively and independently in civic and democratic life. Through innovative digital platforms and AI-driven accessible tools, we empower migrants to share their lived realities and engage meaningfully in public discourse related to migration.

By centering migrant voices and amplifying our experiences, migrants can challenge the narrative that paints us as outsiders.

We are not strangers. We are your neighbours, your friends, your co-workers, your family.

Our Mission

Humanising migration one story at a time.

Our Approach

We challenge the narratives that dehumanise migrants -- and build collective strength by affirming a simple truth: we are not strangers. We are neighbours, classmates, carers, friends. Migrants are part of the everyday life of this country -- and always have been.

At a time when migration is too often met with suspicion or silence, we are building the tools to help people speak up and be heard.

We work to
  • Gather, map, and share anonymised migrant stories through our digital tool to build a clear, accessible archive of lived experiences;
  • Deliver workshops in partnership with migrant-serving organisations to help individuals express their stories confidently, using AI-supported conversation tools to reduce language and literacy barriers;
  • Provide AI-assisted tools that increase understanding of public consultations and reduce language and digital barriers facing migrant communities.

Our Team

We are a team of civic technologists keen to make the public's voices heard.

DN
David Norton
Digital Strategist

David Norton is a queer immigrant originally from the American South, and a technologist with a background in community organising and digital engagement.

JI
Jyotsna Iyer
Policy Researcher

Jyo is a socio-technical researcher of digital identity systems working at Alan Turing Institute. She believes in interdisciplinary thinking and diverse hiring to foster excellence in the field of technology in the UK.

YHW
Yung-Hsuan Wu
Civic Tech Researcher

An AI auditor by day, Yung-Hsuan spends his free time working on tech projects with a focus on civic engagement and empowerment. He moved to the UK for its vibrant research culture in creating technology for social good.

Get Involved

Get in touch and find out the best way to join forces on the Not A Stranger project.

contact[at]notastranger[dot]org