Beyond AI: the human library in higher education – a systematic literature review

As universities increasingly embrace digital tools, the value of genuine human connection can be overlooked. The review examines the Human Library (HL) as a dialogue-based approach that brings authentic narratives into higher education to foster empathy, critical thinking, and social inclusion. A comprehensive search was conducted across five major platforms which are Web of Science, Elicit AI, ResearchGate, Semantic Scholar, and Academia. The study is also supplemented by hand-selected sources, covering literature from 2000 to mid-2025. Following PRISMA guidelines, 267 records and 30 additional items were identified; after removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 30 full-text articles were assessed, resulting in 17 studies included in the qualitative analysis and seven in the quantitative synthesis. Findings indicate that HL research primarily employs qualitative case studies, practitioner reflections, and thematic analyses, with fewer mixed-methods or controlled designs. Reported impacts include reductions in prejudice and social distance, enhanced cultural awareness, and strengthened empathy among participants. The Human Books often describe increased confidence, self-reflection, and therapeutic benefits. Notably, empirical evidence on HL’s role in Malaysian universities remains scarce, leaving its potential to address soft-skill development, intercultural competence, and social cohesion largely unexplored. The review recommends that future studies in Malaysia adopt rigorous, context-specific methodologies such as longitudinal or experimental designs and integrate HL into curricula to cultivate both cultural literacies and the deeply human skills inspired by personal storytelling.