, a volume created between colleagues at the University of Manchester and the University of Liverpool, has been unveiled as a contender for the Association of Dress Historians Book of the Year Award. 

The volume is a decentred study of how textiles shaped, disrupted, and transformed identities in the age of the first globalisation.

The research and work in the shortlisted book have been undertaken by (Professor of Early Modern History and Deputy Director and Scientific Lead of the John Rylands Research Institute, University of Manchester) and (Derby Fellow in Historical Legacies of Empire) from the University of Liverpool’s archaeology and history departments, who brought together researchers from a plethora of disciplines. 

Professor Hanß said: “The diversity of topics, disciplines, geographies, and contributors in these 16 chapters is so exciting! We bring together world-leading anthropologists, archaeologists, art historians, conservators, curators, historians, scientists, and weavers, establishing cutting-edge conversations across disciplines to examine how textiles created and challenged experiences of subjectivity, relatedness, and dis/location that transformed social fabrics around the early modern globe. 

“We’re really proud to be named on the shortlist for this year’s Book of the Year award, particularly because we are the only pre-modern study and the only edited volume to feature in the shortlisted works. It’s a real honour!” 

The project has received funding from various streams and Professor Hanß added: “All of our funding contributors and supporters are integral to the work we have been able to conduct. From the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at The University of Manchester, we were awarded funds from the Research Development and Support Fund. We were also able to secure funding from The Leverhulme Trust, Churchill College Cambridge and St. John’s College Cambridge.” 

The volume has received stellar praise, among others, by Indian literary critic Homi K. Bhabha (Harvard University): “This outstanding volume provides us with the warp and woof of historical exchange and cultural co-existence. These enthralling essays engage with material practices of weaving across genres and geographies, displaying the travelling world of textiles as they record the shifting global communities of a ‘woven imaginary.’ Reading In-Between Textiles, brought to life the migratory memory of my mother’s Parsi garas: a traditional sari, commissioned in Bombay from Chinese sailors who offered her a range of silks and motifs, and brought her the sari, months later, when they docked again in Bombay harbour. Set out on this wondrous voyage of the woven world.”

The erhu (Chinese fiddle)

The first talk will focus on the historical development of the erhu. We will explore how the instrument is made and learn about its diverse repertoire since the early 20th century.

Guest: Xinjie Yang (MA Conducting, RNCM)

Date & time: 6-7pm on 30 October
Venue: 91ֱ�� Central Library

The violin

The second talk is on the violin. It examines the transmission of violin culture from Europe to China. We will discuss how the violin influenced Chinese musical development and explore various compositions written over the last century.

Guest: Ziluo Huang (PhD Musicology student, University of Manchester)

Date & time: 6-7pm on 20 November
Venue: 91ֱ�� Central Library

The guzheng

The last instrument in the series is the guzheng. The talk will introduce composing for the guzheng. It will discuss how our guest reimagined the instrument’s musical tradition by integrating Chinese philosophies found in painting and ancient literature.

Guest: Li Yang (MA Performance Studies student, University of Manchester)

Date & time: 6-7pm on 11 December
Venue: 91ֱ�� Central Library

Sign up to the to find out about upcoming events.

Watch .

This role allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing my skills and preparing me for a dynamic career in the arts and cultural sector. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my experience and skills to foster innovation and inclusivity in the creative field.

The primary project I worked on was the , an event funded by Arts Council England (ACE) celebrating 91ֱ��'s rich literary heritage and extensive local library network. My responsibilities included event planning and coordination, audience development, and communication strategy, and I participated in Zoom meetings with key stakeholders to finalize event details.

Implementing audience development strategies was crucial, involving tailored communication plans and outreach efforts to engage specific demographics. Crafting engaging news stories and social media posts using platforms like Hootsuite and Canva was also a key part of my role, ensuring content resonated with the target audience.

As part of the event, I helped to establish detailed communication planning and implementing audience growth strategies for four key seminars in the Festival of Libraries schedule. Each session was carefully crafted to appeal to a wide variety of age groups and interests, providing participants with a rich and immersive experience suited to their preferences and expectations. I hoped that by implementing these ideas, we would not only broaden the festival's reach, but also deepen engagement and foster long-term relationships with our audience.

To illustrate, take the "Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon" workshop, for instance, which was designed to captivate young children up to the age of 8, along with their parents, caregivers, and educators. Employing audience development strategies, we orchestrated targeted social media plans and community outreach endeavors to ensure broad participation and robust engagement.

This is also one of the highlights of my placement. This event was a resounding success and a truly delightful experience. The workshop's innovative approach combined the joys of reading with sensory play, allowing children to explore literature through interactive and edible elements. 

Promotional materials emphasized the educational benefits and fun nature of the event, which helped in drawing a significant number of participants. The event featured a variety of activities where children could taste food items inspired by their favourite storybooks, making the experience both memorable and educational. 

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and laughter as children immersed themselves in the stories, transforming the act of reading into a multi-sensory adventure.

The success of the "Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon" workshop not only demonstrated the power of creative engagement in fostering a love for reading among children but also highlighted the importance of community involvement in cultural events. It was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our efforts on the participants, reinforcing the value of inclusive and accessible cultural programming.

Final-year History and American Studies student Anya Carr was named winner of the British Association for American Studies undergraduate essay award, and Xavi Goodall, a third-year student currently studying at Rutgers University in New Jersey, received an honourable mention in the same competition. Both students were honoured as part of the BAAS award ceremony, which took place in June this year.

Anya’s essay offered a sparkling account of the African American actor, singer, and activist Paul Robeson’s 1949 visit to 91ֱ��. The project used Robeson’s brief trip to lens the local and global agendas that came together in this moment, as civil rights, decolonization, and the Cold War intermingled, and as various groups competed around Moss Side, Chorlton-on-Medlock, and Belle Vue to win Robeson’s support. The project argued that we should think of the city of Manchester as akin to ‘the global activist hubs of London, Paris, and Harlem’ that other scholars have written about, and it made an innovative attempt to ‘ground the global in the local, and to offer a new perspective on the complex interplay between the Red, white, and Black Atlantics.’ A short blog post that Anya wrote describing the research .

The BAAS judges “were incredibly impressed by this well-argued essay” which “situated Robeson within intersecting contexts” and which “highlighted the complexities of post-war organising and solidarity.” Anya’s work drew extensively on the University’s US newspaper holdings, as well as materials at the , the People’s History Museum archive, and the Working Class Movement Library and Archive, in Salford.

Xavi Goodall’s essay looked at references to American writer Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1851-52) in The Century Magazine, America’s most popular periodical in the late nineteenth century. Xavi uncovered a handful of references to Stowe’s novel between the 1880s and late 1890s, and used these to show that, while Stowe’s novel exerted a lasting influence on American opinions about slavery, The Century Magazine seldom discussed the literary merits of Stowe’s work or offered a neutral account of her politics. As Xavi argued, ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’s appearances in The Century were defined more by the magazine’s context than the book’s contents.’ The judges described the piece as “a beautifully written and accomplished essay,” and thought Xavi’s “careful and detailed analysis of The Century magazine’s complex engagement with Stowe was very strong.”

Both students’ essays were developed and written within second-year American Studies modules. Xavi’s work on Stowe began in Dr. Gordon Fraser’s AMER22662 Uncle Tom’s Cabin as Global Media Event, while Anya’s study on Robeson was written in Dr. Andrew Fearnley’s AMER20022 US History Long Essay module. Each project made use of the printed and electronic resources held by the University, and the physical archives available around the city of Manchester.

The day commenced with a panel discussion on “Archaeotecture” chaired by Professor Teresa Anderson, with Professor Clive Ruggles and Professor Bob Cwyinski, to explore the intersection of ancient cosmologies and modern scientific discoveries. The panel discussed how Garner's fiction has bridged dialogues between disciplines such as archaeology and physics, offering imaginative continuities that enrich our understanding of the universe. The discussions were a testament to Garner’s ability to weave complex, interdisciplinary ideas into his narratives, making his work a subject of academic interest and admiration.

One of the highlights of the day was "A Walk in Time" with archaeologist Melanie Giles. Participants were taken on a journey through the Jodrell Bank site, where Giles reflected on the objects and ideas that have inspired Garner’s writing. The walk included hands-on experiences with archaeological artefacts and replicas, bringing to life themes of landscape lore, craft skills, and protective charms that are prevalent in Garner's novels.

Following the walk attendees were invited to a film screening of To The Round Meadow: Alan Garner & Jodrell Bank by Al Kenny. The film featured an intimate conversation between Alan Garner and his daughter, Elizabeth Garner, discussing his connection to the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. This conversation delved into Garner's personal memories and reflections on the site, highlighting how it has influenced his writing and enriched his imaginative landscapes.

The day continued with the panel discussion "Archaeology & the Imagination of Place" chaired by Melanie Giles. The panel, Tim Campbell-Green, Richard Morris, and Rose Ferraby, explored how Garner’s work, deeply rooted in the past, has woven archaeological knowledge, discoveries, and folklore into his narratives. Melanie Giles and Rose Ferraby discussed how their professional practices have been influenced and enriched by Garner’s storytelling and explorations of histories in the Cheshire landscape.

The final panel, "A Place Across Time" chaired by , featured Elizabeth Garner and medieval scholar David Matthews. This discussion centred on the intersections of historical and mythological time within imaginative fictions, poetry, and actual landscapes, drawing on Alan Garner’s vivid depictions of place across time in his works.

In the evening our Solstice celebrations culminated with a reading and discussion of Sarah Perry’s latest novel, Enlightenment. Set in a small town in Essex, the novel intricately weaves a narrative of entangled relationships and emotional turmoil, exploring the conflict between faith and fact. Perry, renowned for her award-winning works such as The Essex Serpent, explored the novel's themes with Chair Teresa Anderson, and wowed guests with her seamless integration of astronomical principles into the storytelling.

– the University’s creativity-championing research platform – hosted five workshop sessions in partnership with the , , and .

‘Writing for Wellbeing’ took place at Tameside, Rochdale and Bury Libraries on 13 - 15 June. Facilitators Rebecca Hurst, Tessa Harris and John McAuliffe worked with participants to explore the benefits of creative writing on personal wellbeing. 

One attendee commented:

‘Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon’ returned on Friday, 14 June with two sessions: a private workshop for Reception children at St. Andrew’s C of E Primary School Levenshulme, held at Arcadia Library, and a public session at 91ֱ�� Central Library. Children enjoyed a storytime session with play food, colouring activities, and fruits to eat.

The Linguistic Diversity Collective held two well-attended workshops at The Portico Library on 12 and 14 June. The first, ‘What’s in a word and what’s in a dictionary?’ saw attendees take part in activities looking at how dictionaries define words and phrases. 

‘Blackout the jargon’ then invited participants to engage with scientific literature in a unique way through blackout poetry. 

Supported by , the Festival of Libraries 2024 was a testament to 91ֱ��’s enduring commitment to literacy, learning, and inclusivity. 

Find out more about the Festival of Libraries .

Senior Lecturer Dr Amanda McCordkindale spoke with careers guidance podcast Future You about life and study at HCRI, reflecting on the benefits and challenges of studying difficult global issues.

The latest Future You podcast delves into the history of the University’s and looks at the day-to-day life of students on our courses.

Listen to on Spotify.

In this podcast, Dr Amanda Mccorkindale describes the rationale behind HCRI’s foundation – to apply critical refection to the real-world practices of humanitarian response and improve the outcomes of those affected by natural and man-made disasters and emergencies.

Since its founding in 2008, HCRI has moved from being a strictly research-focused institute to providing a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses, for those working as or aspiring to become humanitarian practitioners. This includes our unique Leadership Education Academic Partnership (LEAP) online course, which provides critical and theoretically-informed education to those working for humanitarian NGOs.

In the , Dr Mccorkindale discusses the mental health challenges of studying heavy topics, such as conflict, genocide and disasters, but also the measures HCRI takes to support its students, including trigger warnings, peer mentoring programmes, reflection on ethical positionality, and access to a wide variety of support services at University of Manchester.

The podcast also covers the wide range of career outcomes for those studying at HCRI and the multidisciplinary nature of our courses and student cohorts.

The Future You podcast is published by Prospects, an organisation that supports graduates in finding employment and educational opportunities. You can find out more information on the website.

The "Chinese Bridge" International University Student Chinese Competition is an international competition organized by the Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of China aiming to strengthen academic and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries through language and culture.

In this year's competition, a total of 24 contestants participated in the semi-finals, with 11 contestants making it to the final. Eight finalists took part in the Business Innovation Competition.

Childimma Daisy Anyakora has been studying Chinese since 2019 and shares her learning experience via the popular Chinese social media channel Little Red Book. Julia, who successfully represented 91ֱ�� Confucius Institute at the Chinese Bridge competition in 2021, is currently in her fourth year at UoM. 

They follow in the footsteps of UoM medical student, William Hart, who successfully taught himself Chinese over lockdown and won the Grand Prize at the finals of the 2022 Chinese Bridge competition.

Want to improve your Chinese so you can compete next year? Check out our .

I am a Master’s student in Creative and Cultural Industries at The University of Manchester’s . My keen interest in creative production and event management is what led me to choosing Creative 91ֱ�� for my placement module. 

The placement option stated that the placement student would have the opportunity to support the curation, planning and delivery of the University’s Bicentenary Festival, as well as supporting Creative 91ֱ��’s activity and engagement events. 

Since I was looking for specific project management experience, I knew that Creative 91ֱ�� was the best place to be, especially as they were so well-connected with the wider cultural and creative community of Manchester.

My placement began in January and would last until the end of May, every Wednesday for 20 weeks (with a short break over Easter). After completing the health and safety induction, I was asked to familiarise myself with the projects I would be assisting on. 

This included our Bicentenary festival programme for Friday, 7 June, the Diagrams collection (a collection of diagrams relating to the university), and a cross-platform art installation. With this information, I had to research what type of structure we could use for the art installation, producing a document with price, material, size, sustainability, and other relevant information.

Then, in the afternoon, I helped install a new art installation in the glass corridor in the Samuel Alexander building. This mix of activity represents my days at the placement quite well; I would work on the main projects, as well as the organisations many other engagement events such as research cafés, talks, panels, and installations. 

This allowed me to grow my understanding of Creative 91ֱ�� as a research platform, but even more generally of what a creative and cultural organisation may look like. Every week was a different experience and I never felt idle in my time. 

One such event was the , focusing on women of colour, partnering with (MACFest). It was an afternoon event held in the Whitworth Gallery, Grand Hall, with performances, food, and a panel discussion on inequalities in women’s health. I helped to set up the event, assisting MACFest, and offering event support throughout the event. 

This was such a highlight of my placement as I got to meet such a variety of people, and really enjoyed the performances and the panel talk. I understood first-hand how Creative 91ֱ�� connects with other creative organisations in 91ֱ�� and supports researchers, in both networking and their projects.

My main work with the Universally 91ֱ�� Festival involved planning, programming, and marketing. Over weeks, the event day was built up through meetings, emails, and communications with relevant partners to perfect tech, timings, and other specifics for each event. I learnt how to plan and execute a marketing and event communications campaign and design the graphics for social media. 

Getting down to the minute details was so important for this process and I learnt that planning each step carefully would lead to a more efficient and low-risk event day. It was a privilege to be able to help organise Creative 91ֱ��’s events at the Universally 91ֱ�� Festival, and I am looking forward to seeing them become reality!

I would like to thank the convenor of the placement course, , as well as Anne-Marie Nugnes and the rest of the Creative 91ֱ�� team, and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, for making this placement possible. It has been the highlight of my Master’s course and I look forward to taking the skills I have gained into my future career.

This series of events aimed to build a CreaTech network to provide support, funding and connections to help grow this sector. These events echoed the aspirations of the Greater 91ֱ�� city region to develop the CreaTech sector and to facilitate partnerships between the university and the wider GM Business Community.

We are pleased to announce that is now live, featuring photos and outputs of the breakout sessions. We are also pleased to have worked with to produce a suite of after movies showcasing People's experiences at the events and highlighting the importance of networking across the emerging CreaTech sector. Watch the full videos .

Our first event invited individuals interested and working in the gaming/animation/VR/AR industry within Greater 91ֱ�� to network with each other and collaborate. We asked them to uncover the overall theme of “How Do We Make 91ֱ�� Great?” within breakout groups. See what attendees had to say about CreaTech innovation and the importance of networking across the sector.

 

In our second event ‘Digital Artisans’ we bridged the gap between tradition and innovation through looking at how artisanal craft can harness Createch This event was held at a fitting setting to delve into how independent artists can come together to chart a path towards a future where tradition and innovation converge, propelling 91ֱ��'s artisan arts and crafts sector to new heights of success.

Our next event focused on CreaTech innovation in the Audio and Sound sector. Held in the entrepreneurial atmosphere of , the event brought together enthusiastic, experts, and visionaries from diverse backgrounds, all united by their passion for the intersection of creativity, technology, and sound. See what attendees had to say about the importance of CreaTech in the sound industry.
 

Our next event focused on the fast-paced world of ‘Creative AI’ and took place at . This event brought together creatives who have an interest in digital technology and AI. Furthering the CreaTech ethos, the event connected inspired individuals who wanted to understand how to stay at the front of technological change and how their work practice has adapted to the advances in accessible AI.

The final instalment in the CreaTech Network Series surrounded the theme of Fashion, taking place in the iconic in Ancoats. Bringing together professionals and enthusiasts in the Fashion scene around 91ֱ��. We asked attendees about how they thought technology could change the landscape of the Fashion industry.

As our CreaTech Network events of March 2024 have drawn to a close, we reflect on the exciting potential all attendees have reflected through the CreaTech network and look forward to future collaborations. 

We have helped to pave the way for a strong network of Creatives in Greater 91ֱ�� ready to tackle the evolving CreaTech sector. We have also gained an understanding of the University of Manchester’s role in an increasingly digital and technology focused landscape.

From 12-16 June 2024, Greater 91ֱ�� will once again celebrate the Festival of Libraries – which promises a rich tapestry of vibrant events for all ages and interests.

Authors, poets, performers, artists and historians will share their love for libraries and literature across the region’s libraries. The Festival of Libraries programme is brimming with imagination and attendees can expect exhibitions, author talks, performances, installations, live music, workshops, and international collaborations. 

These free events highlight the diverse offerings of libraries, showcasing their role as service, learning and creativity hubs which are open to all.

is delighted to be offering a series of workshops for the Festival of Libraries celebrations, partnering with the , and .

All workshops are free to attend but booking is required due to limited spaces.

This session delves into the meanings of everyday words and idiomatic phrases, offering insights into how dictionaries define words and how language learners acquire vocabulary. Run by the . 

• Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 3pm - Portico Library

Facilitated by professional writers from the , these workshops explore the positive effects of creative writing on mental health and wellbeing. 

• Thursday, 13 June 2024, 6pm -  
• Friday, 14 June 2024, 1pm – Heywood Library
• Saturday, 15 June 2024 – Ramsbottom Library

Participants will engage in blackout poetry, finding meaning in scientific texts by selecting certain words and redacting the rest to create literary and visual works of art. Run by the . 

• Friday, 14 June 2024, 3pm - Portico Library

An immersive experience and read-a-thon of classic and contemporary children’s literature aimed at young children aged 0-8. Run by the staff and students. 

• Sunday, 16 June 2024, 1pm - Central Library

An immersive audio experience allowing listeners to walk in the footsteps of those with the misunderstood condition of chronic cough. Run by the project. 

• Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 12pm, 2pm and 6pm – Longsight Library
• Thursday, 13 June 2024, 12pm and 2pm – Longsight Library

More information on the Festival of Libraries 2024, including the full programme, can be found on the website. 

In the evening novelist Sarah Perry will discuss her new novel ‘Enlightenment’ in an intimate setting, featuring a reading and a Q&A.

Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024, 10.30am – 5.30pm
Location: Jodrell Bank

The day begins with a variety of panel discussions, a walk of the Jodrell Bank site and a filmed conversation with Alan Garner exploring the themes of his literary work. Alan Garner’s writing is deeply rooted in the history and landscape of Alderley Edge, draws inspiration from the area's archaeology and the cosmic wonders observed at Jodrell Bank Observatory. 

In celebration of his 90th birthday, experts from archaeology, physics, and literature will convene at Jodrell Bank to discuss the impact of Garner's writing on their respective fields, as well as how the sciences have influenced the writer himself. Together, they will explore themes of time and place in his novels, celebrating his contribution to contemporary storytelling.

Purchase your ticket and optional lunch and transport from Oxford Road .

Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024, 6.30pm – 8pm
Location: Jodrell Bank

Later in the day, attendees can enjoy an evening with author Sarah Perry, featuring her latest novel, Enlightenment. Perry's book delves into questions of faith, physics, and human emotion against the backdrop of a small town in Essex. The newest story from award-winning novelist Sarah Perry weaves a web of entangled relationships and emotion, its characters trapped within the conflict between faith and fact. 

Traversing some of the biggest questions on an intimate and captivating level, Enlightenment will stay with you long after closing the final page.

The event offers a chance to hear Perry discuss her creative process, read excerpts from "Enlightenment," and participate in a Q&A session.

Purchase your ticket and optional dinner .

These events promise a thought-provoking exploration of literature and science, set against the backdrop of the Summer Solstice at Jodrell Bank. Tickets are available for both events, with a discounted rate available for the ‘An Evening With Sarah Perry’ event if attending both events.

These events are part of Creative 91ֱ��’s ‘Solstice and Equinox series’, a series of events which brings innovative creative artists to The University of Manchester’s four Cultural Institutions. 

Each of our unique cultural institutions – the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 91ֱ�� Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

Grammy award-winning jazz percussionist and Simon Industrial Fellow Carlos Maldonado recently ran workshops for year 6 classes in two local primary schools.

Pupils from Stanley Grove Primary Academy and Abraham Moss Community School had the opportunity to learn about the origins and traditions of jazz, including an introduction to jazz instruments and how to recognise styles and music from Latin America. The workshops also saw the children experience jazz first-hand, with a live performance from Carlos and the chance for pupils to perform and improvise using traditional instruments such as Maracas, Guido, Claves, Cowbell as well as different drums such as the Bongo drums and Cajón. 

The pupils asked great questions about Carlos’ awards, being a professional musician and his favourite instruments and percussion sounds. They described the workshop as ‘Amazing,’ ‘Fun’ and ‘Unique,’ with teachers commenting on how well the session aligned with their music curriculum and how it engaged and inspired pupils who would typically not engage. 

Watch the video below to see highlights of Carlos’ visit to Abraham Moss Community School:

Carlos has also performed with The University of Manchester’s jazz ensemble. Watch the video here:

To close the inaugural People Fest conference from 5-7 April, the and proudly present '', a free event featuring in conversation with Dr Rupert Cox.

The event will highlight some of Jeremy’s films and collaborations. Dr Katie Smith and students from Social Anthropology at The University of Manchester will ask how his playful explorations of British identity might connect to themes in anthropological research. The discussion promises to be an engaging exploration of Deller's impactful work within the context of contemporary British culture and societal discourse surrounding it.

Jeremy Deller, renowned for his thought-provoking installations, films, and conceptual art, will offer unique insights into his artistic practice, which often navigates the intersections of history, popular culture, and societal issues. We are looking forward to hearing him share his perspectives on creativity, activism, and the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world.

Organized as part of the inaugural , this event underscores the commitment of the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology and Creative 91ֱ�� to fostering interdisciplinary discussions and celebrating by bringing Jeremy Deller to the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from one of the most influential voices in contemporary art.

Registrations for 'Jeremy Deller in Conversation' are open now, and everyone is welcome to attend. to secure your spot.

Event details:

Date: Sunday, April 7, 3.30 pm-5 pm, followed by a drinks reception
Location: , M1 5BY 
 

The Burgess Fellowships introduce two new, published writers to each year’s new Creative Writing Masters programme at the Centre.

In their role as Writer Fellows, Nat and Victoria read work-in-progress by the MA Creative Writing cohort, and by undergraduate students enrolled on the BA English Literature with Creative Writing, offering feedback and editorial guidance. 

The Fellows make a significant contribution to the Centre for New Writing’s policy to introduce a range of mentors for students and to increase awareness of the practical elements of the publishing industry, as students will work with writers who are publishing new work during their Fellowship.
 

About the 2024 Burgess Fellows

Nat Ogle is the author of In the Seeing Hands of Others, a novel. He has a PhD in Creative Writing from The University of Manchester. His work was shortlisted for The White Review Poet's Prize in 2021. He grew up in Darlington, County Durham, and lives in London. He works in bookselling.

Victoria Adukwei Bulley is a poet, writer, and artist whose work has appeared widely in publications including the London Review of Books, LitHub, and The Atlantic. She is the winner of an Eric Gregory Award, and her critically acclaimed debut poetry book, Quiet, won the Folio Prize for Poetry, the John Pollard International Poetry Prize, and was shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize. Quiet is published by Faber in the UK and in North America by Alfred A. Knopf.

The other panel members include:

• Director of Creative 91ֱ�� and Professor of Poetry, ;
•  Writer, illustrator and opera-maker, Dr Rebecca Hurst, who was commissioned to write a poem celebrating the University’s 2024 bicentennial year;
• 91ֱ��-based poet and critic, Maryam Hessavi.

Participants are invited to write a micropoem, of no more than 280 characters, and submit via email or on X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #micropoem24. Submissions are open to anybody and can explore Greater 91ֱ��’s industrial past, dive into the modern-day city and everything it has to offer, or even imagine its blossoming future.

Lemn said: “The University of Manchester’s micropoetry competition sets the challenging task of translating a theme into a short, tweet-like form. It’s a craft to tell a story in such a manner and I’m looking forward to reading the 2024 entries, centred around the chosen theme. As someone who published a book of tweets in the form of quatrains, I urge you to pen your poem and enter our micropoetry competition.”

Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, 10 April 2024, with winners to be announced Friday, 17 May.

Prizes will be awarded for first place (£500) and the two runners-up (£250), with a £25 book token for winner of the under-18s category. Authors of the top three micropoems and the winner of the under-18 category will also be invited to attend the University of Manchester’s Community Festival on Saturday 8 June 2024.

Find out more and try your hand at the #micropoem24 competition at .

Creative 91ֱ�� were pleased to partner with , and , for ‘Bernie Sanders in Conversation with Gary Younge’ at theatre on Sunday, 18 February 2024. 

This event discussed Senator Sanders’ new book, the New York Times and Sunday Times Bestseller ‘It’s Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism’.

Senator Sanders, who is an American politician and activist from Vermont and the longest serving independent member in US congressional history, was interviewed by Professor Gary Younge, the award-winning author, broadcaster, and Professor of Sociology here at the University of Manchester.

Sanders and Younge touched on issues in both the UK and US such as the wealth gap, healthcare, the climate crisis, childcare and many more, all in the name of envisioning an alternative path forward where the ‘system is no longer rigged against ordinary people’.

Senator Sanders asked how we can accept an economic order that allows three billionaires to control more wealth than the bottom half of our society. 

He also highlighted the failures of the US political system that allows the super-rich to buy elections and politicians and calls for a change to the energy system that rewards the fossil fuel corporations. 

By calling for fundamental economic and political change in his conversation with Gary Younge he provided useful insights into his book and career, which made for an interesting and engaging event.

Staged by theatre company PSYCHEdelight, Mohand & Peter is a play celebrating refugees' home countries and cross-cultural friendships. 

It’s a thought-provoking production that focuses on promoting social inclusion and diversity.

Sophie Bertrand Besse, Director of PSYCHEdelight theatre company, said:
 

When and where

It takes place on Thursday, 7 March at the Martin Harris Centre (behind 91ֱ�� Museum) with doors opening at 7.30pm.
 

Buying your ticket and a ‘Pay it Forward’ ticket option

We’re offering a unique ticket option for this performance that allows full paying guests the option to purchase a ‘Pay it Forward’ ticket to their booking.

The ‘Pay it Forward’ ticket is to allow people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend the show, the opportunity to secure a seat at the play.

• Visit our for more information and how to purchase your ticket for Mohand & Peter.
• Read more about Mohand & Peter on their website .

Screenwriter and playwright Tim Price unveils his new play at the National Theatre, with doors opening this February.

Titled 'Nye', it follows one man’s dream of the NHS. Starting tomorrow on Saturday, 24 February, it runs until Saturday, 11 May.

Tim joined the Centre for New Writing in 2015 and teaches on our Screenwriting MA.

Here's an extract from the National Theatre website all about 'Nye':

From campaigning at the coalfield to leading the battle to create the NHS, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan is often referred to as the politician with greatest influence on our country without ever being Prime Minister.

Confronted with death, Nye’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill in an epic Welsh fantasia.

Michael Sheen (Under Milk Wood) is Nye Bevan in this surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state. It’s written by Tim Price (Teh Internet is Serious Business) and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island).

When asked about the upcoming play, Tim said:
 
 

Discover more about ‘Nye’ and .

This year was the 8th International Mother Language Day observed in 91ֱ��, a celebration of the cultural diversity and the near 200 languages spoken across the city.

collaborated with partners and colleagues to present a series of events to mark the occasion.

In partnership with the and , a workshop and language themed trail offered visitors of all ages a chance to learn about and celebrate languages and multilingualism. The ‘Language of Life’ workshop, led by Dr Nick Weise and Dr Tine Breban, explored the origins of scientific vocabulary and where the terms we use for chemicals in the body come from. 

The ‘Looking for Languages’ trail gave families the chance to explore 91ֱ�� Museum’s exhibits while thinking about languages along the way. Children who took part commented, ‘I enjoyed it because I learned so many different things,’ ‘It was so good,’ and ‘It was fun exploring.’

In partnership with The University of Manchester and colleagues at hosted the annual ‘Comics Up Close’ conference, this year with the theme ‘Origin Stories’ and featuring keynote speakers Dave Gibbons, Steven Appleby and Karrie Fransman. An exhibition, ‘Collectives for Change’, featuring comics from the Arab world, ran alongside the conference. 

This exhibition is also currently hosted at The University of Manchester, in the Samuel Alexander Building’s glass corridor exhibition space, until Friday, 15 March 2024.

To find out more about International Mother Language day and the local celebrations, visit the .

This year will be the 8th International Mother Language Day observed in 91ֱ��, a celebration of the cultural diversity and the near 200 languages spoken across the city.

Creative 91ֱ�� has coordinated with partners and colleagues from the , , and the to present events including:

• Wednesday 21 February, all day - at Sheffield Hallam University
• Wednesday 21 February, 1pm-2pm – at 91ֱ�� Museum
• Wednesday 21 February, 1pm-4pm -

Running alongside the Comics Up Close conference at Sheffield Hallam University is the ‘Collectives for Change’ exhibition, showcasing the thriving new comic movement across the Arab world. 

We are delighted to also be hosting this exhibition here at The University of Manchester. 

You can view the exhibition in the Samuel Alexander Building glass corridor exhibition space, between 19 February-18 March 2024.

The full programme of IMLD 2024 events can be found on the website.

The competition themed is ‘200 years of creativity: 91ֱ��’s past, present or future’. Our theme focuses on 91ֱ��, a city with a global reach that celebrates its connections across the world. Entries may be submitted between Wednesday, 17 January 2024 and Wednesday, 10 April 2024.

Participants are invited to write a micropoem, in no more than 280 characters, and include the hashtag #micropoem24. Let your imagination lead your discovery and creativity: your micropoem might explore Greater 91ֱ��’s industrial past, or dive into the modern-day 91ֱ�� and everything it has to offer. As a pioneer in word-leading research for two centuries, we are sure there’s more to come, so maybe pen something you see in 91ֱ��’s future.

The launch of this year’s competition also marks the University of Manchester’s ‘Light Up’ event that signals the start of our bicentennial activity for 2024.

We are asking you to send us short poems by Wednesday, 10 April 2024. 

Try your hand in our #micropoem24 competition! 

For the full entry details as well as the terms and conditions, visit the .

Award-winning writer, acclaimed author and Professor of New Writing at The University of Manchester, Jeanette Winterson returns to the John Rylands Research Institute and Library on Thursday, 14 December to share her latest chilling collection - Night Side of the River: Ghost Stories.

Ghost stories told at Christmas is a long-held tradition and a popular Victorian pastime, with families sharing spine-tingling tales around a cosy fireplace as the nights lengthened and winter settled in.

While our lives have become digital, exposed and always on, ghosts have been finding new ways to connect to us, to reach us, to haunt us.

Approaching the darkest day of the year and in the atmospheric setting of the Grade-I listed, neo-Gothic library, Jeanette will read from her new collection, talk with poet and Creative 91ֱ�� Director, Professor John McAuliffe about her work and share some of her real-life encounters with the occult. Entertaining, passionate and highly knowledgeable, Jeanette’s events are not to be missed.

On Sunday, 17 December, prize-winning poet Alice Oswald will read her work at Jodrell Bank as part of its .

Alice Oswald studied Classics at Oxford and then trained as a gardener. She worked in gardens for seven years before publishing her first book of poems, THE THING IN THE GAP-STONE STILE, which won the Forward Prize in 1996. Since then, Alice has released eight highly acclaimed collections for which she has won several awards and prizes.

Jodrell Bank is the perfect place to get into the midwinter mood as the site is transformed to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

’s ‘Solstice and Equinox’ series of events brings innovative creative artists to The University of Manchester’s four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions – , the , and – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

These festive literary evenings are open to all and available to book now:

• Book for Jeanette Winterson, 14 December
• Buy for Alice Oswald, 17 December

It’s an industry with an estimated 2.5 billion global players with games played on consoles, mobile devices and VR headsets. How can video games be a tool that offers educational benefits to this worldwide audience?

Following on from the livestream event, Dr Nielsen gave an insight into how video game representation of history can enhance public understanding in an engaging and educational way.
 

Dr Nielsen said:

The open-world format of such games gives the gamer the opportunity to play the game in a different way to others, interpreting different elements as they play through. How historical accuracy be maintained when creating a game to be played in the modern day continues to be challenge for historians.
 

Dr Nielsen added:

This billion-dollar, multi-billion player industry has a significant capability to influence historical understanding whilst tackling the need for a clear, in-game structure that can begin to question some of those accuracies. Overall, video games can be a helpful tool in understanding history but there is a challenge in sometimes telling the difference between the real and virtual worlds.

Art History’s Edward Wouk, together with Professors Sasha Handley and Stefan Hanß, both of History, have co-curated the landmark exhibition at the Whitworth (30 June 2023-10 March 2024), together Whitworth Curator (Historic Fine Art) Imogen Holmes Roe, and an international team of researchers based in 91ֱ��, Melbourne, and Europe.

The exhibition, which developed out of a major research project funded by the , reconsiders how a changing Renaissance material world, characterised by increasing globalisation, sparked artistic creativity and major innovations in the production of art and craft in Dürer’s native Nuremberg and beyond.

Generous support from the Getty Foundation’s initiative and other funders underwrote costs associated with conservation, loans from major UK and European partners, and the innovative display of close to one hundred works, bringing visitors face to face with the Whitworth’s outstanding Dürer collection for the first time in over half a century.

Nicholas Wroe, writing in , praises the exhibition as a show of ‘both familiarity and wonder’. ‘It's almost disturbing to see so many of his great printed pictures’, states in another stellar review in The Guardian, praising the balance of between the Whitworth’s ‘selection of some of his greatest prints, with excellent loans’. 

Jones concludes that this exhibition is ‘a mesmerising encounter with an artist so far from us in time, yet so shockingly close’—'the prince of prints’, as Richard Holledge puts it in his exhibition review in . In , Desmond Bullen applauds this ‘magnificent new retrospective’: ‘Beautifully considered, every minute of the five years’ research underpinning the composition of this enthralling exhibition is manifest in its Dürer-like attention to detail’.

Wouk, together with Jennifer Spinks, edited the accompanying , published by 91ֱ�� University Press.

Inspired by visits to the Kielder Observatory in Northumberland, Black Fell is a game-for-music, a story in song where a psychological landscape of memory, grief and scientific passion unfolds. 

The story explores the thoughts of a central female character, an astronomer, on a cloudy night. Without the use of her telescopes, she turns inwards, where a psychological landscape of memories and scientific passions unfolds.

Funded by DC Labs, the co-creation of the research practice artefact brought musical development, led by Martin, together with Frances who shaped the poetry narrative. Hailed as a new approach to music, Black Fell is designed to bring a gaming-feel to opera storytelling.
 

Martin Suckling, Head of Music at University of York said:

How does Black Fell work?

Players are situated within a virtual ‘orchestra’ where they can freely move. Where you are positioned gives a unique balance of audio elements coupled with a variation of type of music. This shapes the direction the story takes. Audiences navigate by ear alone, or with the optional aid of a virtual ‘forest’ which provides visual feedback on their movements. Black Fell is designed for solo listening with headphones and is best played using a desktop PC or laptop. The full story only emerges over several iterations and responds to the listener’s choices as to how they move.
 

Frances Leviston, Senior Lecturer in Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester said:

Black Fell is available from Friday 3 November 2023 on the . The piece is performed by Loré Lixenberg (voice) and Jonathan Morton (violin), with software development by Marco Ng.

Aviva Studios, nestled within the heart of Manchester, is set to be a beacon of creativity and innovation for aspiring artists and performers. The University of Manchester is proud to be a Senior Supporter of Factory International, producers of the 91ֱ�� International Festival, who have found a new home in the highly anticipated, multi-purpose arts venue.

'Free Your Mind' is directed by Danny Boyle, renowned for the cult film ‘Trainspotting’ as well as the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. The play pushes the boundaries of performance art, combining theatre, dance, music, and technology, with a nod to Mancunian computer scientist Alan Turing.

The University of Manchester provided a dedicated rehearsal space within the Sackville Street building for the ‘Free Your Mind’ ensemble to practise and develop the show. Through the longstanding partnership, spanning over a decade, University of Manchester students have the opportunity to engage in placements, internships, and group research projects with Factory International, and much more.

'Free Your Mind' is a taste of the opportunities Factory International’s programming can bring to a modern and ambitious venue such as Aviva Studios.

'Free Your Mind' will be running at Aviva Studios until Sunday, 5 November 2023, so be sure to book your tickets before they’re gone via .

Four University of Manchester academics have received funding to work across several government departments as part of the programme.

Representing the Faculty of Humanities, the four academics have the aim of helping to fulfil the potential of research and expertise to inform and share effective public policy and its implementation. The four academics are:

From School of Arts, Languages and Cultures:

• - Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
• - Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

From School of Environment, Education and Development:

• – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

From School of Social Sciences:

• - Home Office, National Crime and Justice Lab
   

Collectively, they will be key in providing policymakers with access to evidence and expertise from a range of research and scientific disciplines. This will enable those policymakers to address major challenges facing the UK and to capitalise on future opportunities.
 

Professor Dave O’Brien said: 

"I'm delighted to be starting this fellowship at DCMS. Research on the creative workforce, particularly on the question of how to support a more diverse creative economy, is currently central to a range of academic work. I'm excited by the opportunity to share this work with policymakers. At the same time, it is a huge opportunity to learn more about the policy process and to better understand how research and policy can work together."
 

Dr Abi Gilmore said: 

“The policy fellowship with DCMS on cultural placemaking and levelling up is a fantastic opportunity to consolidate research on place-based policy and cultural infrastructure, whilst learning about how national policy is made and what evidence is required for decision-making. Academic research on creative places comes from a wide range of disciplines, from economics, geography and planning to social sciences; this fellowship is an excellent way to advance arts and humanities research approaches to policy questions which can have real impact, not just on policy but also on what works when putting arts and cultural at the foundation of placemaking strategies”.
 

The 2023 scheme is funded by:

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

This investment is part of a wider UKRI commitment to facilitate deeper and more enduring connections between researchers and policymakers.
 

Caglar Koksal, Research Associate and Lecturer in Planning said: 

“I am pleased to be joining the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on a fellowship focused on the relationship between urban development and health and wellbeing. Urban planning’s role in promoting health and addressing disparities is of paramount importance. With a rising emphasis on prevention, health creation, and the wider determinants of health in our national discourse, this fellowship offers a unique platform to delve deeper into these areas in collaboration with policy teams. I look forward to the opportunity to bridge academic insights with the nuances of policy-making and contribute to the evolving dialogue on how our built environment impacts our health.”
 

Dr Eon Kim, Lecturer in Criminology, said:

“I am excited to be selected for the Home Office, National Crime and Justice Lab. The fellowship offers me a valuable opportunity to collaborate with the Home Office’s Crime Strategy and Performance Unit on crime prevention initiatives. Working at the intersection of policy and data analytics, I look forward to contributing to evidence-based policy, and the future of crime reduction.”
 

The 2023 and 2021 cohorts will also connect, providing a network of active and alumni policy fellows which will grow further over the coming years, providing an ever-stronger connection between academia and policy.

Aligning in this way will enable the fellowships to contribute to achieving these shared goals, which all tackle large-scale, complex challenges, while giving the fellows access to a broad range of new UKRI research investments.

Writer Jason Allen-Paisant has won the Best Collection award 2023 at the Forward Prize for Poetry.

The University of Manchester Senior Lecturer’s ‘Self-Portrait as Othello’ is a dazzling poetic memoir, which imaginatively places the figure of Othello in the urban landscapes of modern London, Paris and Venice, inventing the kinds of narrative he might tell about his intersecting identities. 

Allen-Paisant collected the Forward Prize for Best Collection on Monday night at an awards ceremony in Leeds hosted by Poet Laureate and 91ֱ�� graduate Simon Armitage.
 

John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Director of Creative 91ֱ��, said:

The news also celebrates the success of University of Manchester-affiliated Carcanet Press: ‘Self-Portrait as Othello’ is the Jamaican poet’s second book with Carcanet and has also been shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize 2023.
 

Chair of Judges for the Best Collections panel, Bernardine Evaristo said:

The Department of Drama and Film in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures is saddened to hear of the recent passing of Professor David Mayer, Emeritus and Honorary Research Professor and a foundational member of the Drama department.

Having spent a brief term as Lecturer at the University of Bristol and in the English department at Warwick University, David came to the University of Manchester in 1972. 

He retired in 1996 but continued to lecture across Europe and the US as well as authoring key academic works on theatre, performance and on early film and screen cultures. 

David was co-editor of Nineteenth Century Theatre and Film from 2002 to 2008. He was Head of Department from 1991 to 1994 and was the recipient of numerous research grants and awards, receiving the Distinguished Scholar Award, from the American Society for Theatre Research, in 2012.

David’s enthusiasm for and scholarly expertise in early cinema history and practice shaped the original film teaching and research in the Department, as well as the international academic debates on early cinema and its relation to our understanding of theatre and performance, from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century in Europe and the US. 

An avid collector of theatre and film memorabilia, David and his wife Helen Day-Mayer gave generous philanthropic donations to the John Rylands Special Collections at the University of Manchester, as well as to other archives and film related festivals across the globe. 

David was a formidable intellectual, with an acute critical eye and acerbic wit, and he is remembered by those he taught and those whose research he supervised, as a generous, thoughtful and inspiring teacher, and an original and international agenda-setting academic. He will be greatly missed by those knew him at the University of Manchester and by the international scholarly community more widely. 

Director for Creative 91ֱ��’s Professor John McAuliffe wrote:

Never Was takes the reader from a limbo of lost dreams to a small salt-mining town in the North, exploring transness alongside class, addiction and grief, and examining the way identity is both inherited and re-invented.
 

Judge Ellen Peirson-Hagger, assistant culture editor at the New Statesman, the prize’s partner, said:

The Prize, which celebrates “fiction that breaks the mould”, carries a prize of £10,000.

The Goldsmith’s Prize winner will be announced on 8 November 2023.

University of Manchester Senior Lecturer and writer Jason Allen-Paisant is celebrating another shortlisting today for his second collection of poems, Self-Portrait as Othello.

Self-Portrait as Othello is a dazzling poetic memoir, which imaginatively places the figure of Othello in the urban landscapes of modern London, Paris and Venice, inventing the kinds of narrative he might tell about his intersecting identities. The collection has also been shortlisted for the 2023 for best poetry collection.

Also making the 2023 shortlist is More Sky, the debut collection by Joe Carrick-Varty. The British-Irish poet is a graduate of the Centre for New Writing’s MA in Creative Writing, and was named as a Burgess Writer Fellow at the Centre in 2023.

Director of the CNW, Dr. Kaye Mitchell, writes:

91ֱ��-based and University of Manchester affiliated Carcanet Press is also celebrating a triple shortlist award in the T.S Eliot Prize 2023. In addition to Jason and Joe, poet and novelist Kit Fan’s work The Ink Cloud Reader has completed the trio of accolades for Carcanet.

The winner, to be announced in January, will receive £25,000, while each shortlisted poet will receive £1,500.

“We are confident that all 10 shortlisted titles not only meet the high standards they set themselves but speak most effectively to, and of, their moment,” said Irish poet and judging chair , a past winner of the prize. “If there’s a single word for that moment it is surely ‘disrupted’, and all these poets properly reflect that disruption.”

“Shot through though they are with images of grief, migration, and conflict, they are nonetheless imbued with energy and joy,” he continued. “The names of some poets will be familiar, others less so; all will find a place in your head and heart.”

Taking place in the heart of Media City at the Innovation Hub on 22 September, the conference provided a day of informative key notes and panels discussing the environment in which creative businesses operate, challenges such as a lack of diversity in the workforce as well as opportunities brought on by the advance of generative AI and data-driven analytics and marketing.

Newly appointed University of Manchester Professor of Creative and Cultural Industries contributed to the panel ‘Skills Issues & Challenges within the Creative, Digital & Media Sector’ drawing from his research into the prevalent challenges of inequality within the creative sector and highlighted the urgency of transforming hiring practices and organizational cultures to foster diversity and inclusion.

Speaking about the relevance of pro-manchester’s Creative Conference and his involvement on the panel, Professor O’Brien says that: 

We’d like to thank pro-manchester for organising a thought-provoking and informative event as well as the other conference sponsors , , and for their contributions.

The project will take advantage of, and research, Camerata's move to The Monastery in Gorton and will ask the following overarching question: what factors underpin the ways in which those who work for Camerata, with Camerata, and/or participate in its projects respond to The Monastery and to Gorton as a place? 

To find out more about Rebecca and her work, we sent her some questions.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your areas of interest and your work

Prior to beginning the PhD I worked as Creative Producer in a joint role with Creative 91ֱ�� and 91ֱ�� Camerata. This incredibly varied role involved producing concerts (both live and digital), as well as teaching and knowledge exchange with the University. 

I have always been interested in barriers to the orchestral world, as well as issues of taste, class, education, and the role played by family in musical preferences. 

My MA dissertation explored motivations of younger classical concert attendees, and prior to the Creative Producer role I worked at the Royal Northern College of Music organising concerts and working with students on their professional development. My first introduction to the music world was as a classical guitarist, which I studied in Western Australia and the UK.
 

Tell us about 91ֱ�� Camerata, its work in the community and its partnership with The University of Manchester

91ֱ�� Camerata is an organisation which is always looking forward. This can be seen not only in its eclectic programming and presentation on the concert stage, but also in its internationally recognised community work. Camerata puts collaboration at the heart of all its work, whether this be collaborating with a world-class soloist or a person living with dementia.

Each collaborator is given equal importance and attention, and the organisation is always looking for opportunities to bridge the gap between the Community and Concerts departments, which highlights the view that the concert stage is no more important than work which takes place in community settings.

The partnership between 91ֱ�� Camerata and the University of Manchester began over 10 years ago, with discussions leading to the co-supervision of Dr Robyn Dowlen’s PhD on the ‘in the moment’ musical experiences of people living with dementia. Camerata’s association with Creative 91ֱ�� began in 2018, resulting in the collaborative role of Creative Producer.
 

Your PhD looks at the dynamics of collaboration in the community work undertaken by 91ֱ�� Camerata and the ways in which place and community mediate classical music, memory and belonging. Why is this topic important to you?

In my role as Creative Producer I was fortunate enough to work on projects which brought communities together, performing music written by participants with support from Camerata musicians. Historically, the ‘outreach’ of the past often placed emphasis on an arts organisation entering a community’s space and dictating to them, rather than working with them. 

Camerata’s approach to empower participants to write and perform alongside the orchestra has produced some truly magical moments of joy and connection, and it is this which I am keen to explore.
 

Looking to the future, do you have any plans, goals or dreams that your current work might help you achieve?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had a wide range of experiences over the past 4 years of the Creative Producer role, including working at a concert in New Delhi, producing films during the pandemic, organising recording sessions, and chairing conference panels. A definite highlight was co-writing and co-teaching the MA Creative Producing module with the which cemented my desire to move into lecturing. I really enjoy working with students and have always strived to incorporate some aspect of mentoring in each of my jobs.
 

Finally, what music has been keeping you inspired this year?

Well I have a toddler so I mostly listen to whatever she enjoys! Thankfully she seems to have good taste and we like listening to The Beatles and flamenco together. When I get the chance to listen to music on my own I love soundtracks, particularly Michael Nyman’s work on Peter Greenaway’s films, or Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ. Film is my other great love and I’m always ready to bore anyone talking about it.

Find out more about 91ֱ�� Camerata and their relationship with the Gorton community by watching their video, ‘’.

The fellowship recognises the outstanding contribution Keisha makes to the performing arts scene here 91ֱ��, her home city.

John McAuliffe, Director of Creative 91ֱ��, said:

Felicia Chan, Head of Drama and Film at the University of Manchester said:

Keisha Thompson, CEO of Contact Theatre and recipient of the Honorary Research fellowship said:

2023 will take place 7-22 October, featuring a programme of exciting events marking the city’s contribution to literature.

The University of Manchester is proud to be the Festival’s official Higher Education Partner, working closely with the MLF team and offering several events in partnership with the University’s and research platform.

This year’s Festival begins with a , where lucky audience members will join award-winning poet, author and honorary Chair of Creative Writing at The University of Manchester Lemn Sissay as he launches his new collection of morning poems, ‘Let the Light Pour In.’

Other partnership events showcase new publications by celebrated authors – including renowned contemporary novelist , bestselling American author , classicist and BBC Radio 4 broadcaster and prize-winning Icelandic novelist, playwright and poet .

On 7 October, cult author with a live electronic score by musician Roly Porter, followed by a conversation about his work.

On 19 October, join us for the annual Rylands Poetry Reading and raise a toast to of publishing some of the most vital, diverse and provocative poetry, essays, interviews and reviews from around the globe. Contributing editors Anthony Vahni Capildeo, Sasha Dugdale and Will Harris will be sharing their own poems alongside some of their favourite discoveries from PN Review.

Professor of New Writing and prolific author returns to MLF on 22 October to launch her new book Night Side of the River: Ghost Stories. She will read from her new collection and share some of her real-life encounters with the occult.

Lecturers from the Centre for New Writing feature in two events: Poet Jason Allen-Paisant is to premiere a new co-commission inspired by work in the Gallery and author Beth Underdown hosts on 7 October at Central Library. , an author event with Wen Zhen and Gu Shi on 15 October is presented by the University’s alongside Comma Press.

For those looking for more literature events after the main Festival period, there will be two partnership Bookend events in November. Beloved actor, comedian and writer joins us to discuss her memoir My Lady Parts: A Life Fighting Stereotypes, on 20 November, and on 29 November winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2017 joins us to discuss her superb new novel The Future.

Dr H. Gareth Gavin, Director of the Centre for New Writing said:

Cathy Bolton and Sarah-Jane Roberts, Co-Directors of Manchester Literature Festival  
said:

Find out more about 91ֱ�� Literature Festival and view the full programme .

A diverse body of scholarship that has developed over more than 30 years, ‘queer theory’ has provided many important and influential ways to think about gender and sexuality. It has given us concepts such as ‘heteronormativity’ and ‘performativity’ that have transformed many scholarly fields, but it is also associated with some of the highest profile intellectuals of the twentieth century such as Judith Butler and Michel Foucault.

‘Beyond Radical’ will be the first formal network for UK-based academics, activists and artists dedicated to the continued development of queer theory. Over one academic year, the network will host a range of symposia, public engagement events and workshops that will each address one important aspect of queer theory that has been central to its past and will be central to its future development.

The network comes at a time when the word ‘queer’ is used in more and more public contexts. PI Dr Ben Nichols explains how this reflects the timeliness of the project: “We see ‘queer’ used more and more these days: from Queer Eye on TV, to the ‘Q’ in LGBTQ+. This network will connect the increasing public interest in ‘queer’ as an idea with the word’s complex history in the context of queer theory. Our aim is to get people thinking in new ways about this word and its histories”

Hosted by SALC’s Centre for the 91ֱ�� of Sexuality and Culture, ‘Beyond Radical’ solidifies the Centre’s reputation for gender and sexuality studies research nationally. Alongside a programme of events, the Centre hosts the yearly Sexuality Summer School and the popular MA in Gender, Sexuality and Culture.

A team from the universities have been excavating at Arthur's Stone in Herefordshire, and continue to make exciting discoveries at the site, believed to date to 3700BC. 

Professor Julian Thomas, Director of Archaeology at the University of Manchester, is leading the project with Professor Keith Ray of Cardiff University. 91ֱ�� colleague Dr Nick Overton is Associate Director. 

When asked about the recent work undertaken by the team, Professor Thomas said:

Members of the public are now able to visit the site and see the work undertaken by the team. Since the BBC’s news story regarding the discovery of the cremated remains, the site has become a popular destination for enthusiasts.

Professor Thomas added:

The project is an important research excavation that acts as a training exercise for British and overseas students. As well as academics, the project is staffed by professional archaeologists taking leave of absence from commercial archaeology units, most of whom are graduates from 91ֱ�� and Cardiff. It also brings together 38 current and recently graduated 91ֱ�� students, who are taking Archaeology-related degrees. There were also 10 students from Cardiff University and five students from a variety of American universities.

The trail – overseen by research fellow, Dr Chad Campbell – ran in conjunction with and showcased over 100 young writers with work in 12 different languages.

91ֱ�� City of Literature describes the trail as, “a walkable constellation of young voices connecting community arts centres, schools, universities, and libraries with over 40 schools in Greater 91ֱ��. The Schools Writing Trail project is a celebration of the young writers who are a vibrant part of what makes 91ֱ�� a UNESCO City of Literature.”

Project manager Dr Chad Campbell commented:

Miss Kirk, a teacher at the East 91ֱ�� Academy, felt equally positively about the impact of the project on her pupils: “Young writers have been able to see buildings they have never seen before, right on their doorstep in 91ֱ��.”

Watch the film below, produced by 91ֱ�� City of Literature, to see students visiting the Schools Writing Trail and hear more from those involved:

Find out more about the Schools Writing Trail, including an archive of some of the work, on the .