Global Codex: Hidden Stories of Books Across Cultures now open

The new course, Global Codex: Hidden Stories of Books Across Cultures, went live on FutureLearn on 5 October 2026. This course was jointly developed by Keio University, the British Library, and the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Dunhuang Academy in China.

What can a book tell you that isn’t written on its pages? The course takes you on a journey across centuries and cultures to uncover the surprising diversity of how books have been made, bound, decorated, and cared for, from the materials hidden inside a cover to the marks left by long-gone readers. Along the way, you’ll discover what a book’s physical form can reveal that its words alone cannot, and maybe even look differently at a book of your own.

Our educators will be there alongside you and engage in conversation and discussion with you. Join the course and let us know your thoughts and insights. We cannot wait to hear what hidden stories you find in the books around you.

You can enrol here: Global Codex: Hidden Stories of Books Across Cultures

*The course launched first in English, with a Japanese version to follow in 2027.