TEENAGERS will learn about Oxford’s role in the First World War through the eyes of a highly-respected battle zone photographer.

Alison Baskerville, who has produced stunning images from conflict zones such as Gaza and Afghanistan, will mentor a group of young people on how to document history using their cameras.

The scheme, run by Arts Festival Oxford, will hone the young photographers’ knowledge at sessions held across the city including Oxford University Press, Somerville College and the Bodleian Library.

The history of photography and its application during the First World War are some of the subjects that will be explored.

Sessions for the 20-30 young people expected to take part will take place until February and a selection of speakers and research specialists from Oxford University and the Imperial War Museum will support the work.

Photojournalist Miss Baskerville, 40, who also investigates social and domestic issues abroad and in the UK, said: “There is a real value in engaging the younger community, and this project will provide an exciting opportunity to teach a mixture of teenagers across the county documentary photography.

“Capturing reality and telling the lives of others in a moral and honest way is something we want to encourage within the students, to create an understanding of the principles behind photography as a powerful form of storytelling.”

Miss Baskerville, from Staffordshire, has had her own work commissioned by the festival, which will focus on social change movers and shakers in Oxford and their role in one of her main areas of interest, the changing role of women in society.

Anais Higgins, a festival co-ordinator, said: “The idea is to take inspiration from the history of photography and gain inspiration from an esteemed photographer.”

The students’ finished work will be displayed alongside Miss Baskerville’s at the festival next summer. The sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings at various locations – call 01865 242191.