News

a human skull resting on an open book

From a scream to a whisper 鈥� 鈥榪uiet horror鈥� novels are making a comeback

Ever since its inception with Horace Walpole鈥檚 novel The Castle of Otranto (1764), a delirious mixture of violent death and familial conspiracy, gothic literature has been a restless cultural form, constantly mutating and assuming new guises but always exploring the darker side of life. Sometimes, its fashions are those of the historical moment. Sometimes they are initiated by a book enjoying unprecedented commercial success.
a still image from the tv series Salem's Lot

Salem鈥檚 Lot: a faithful but shallow adaptation of Stephen King鈥檚 classic vampire novel

The vampire story dwells among the undead of literary and cinematic genres, ever available for reanimation. This year alone has seen the publication of more than 30 vampire novels in the US (from Rachel Harrison鈥檚 So Thirsty to K. M. Enright鈥檚 Mistress of Lies), alongside the release of several vampire movies, including Abigail (with Nosferatu, rebooting the silent German classic, due at Christmas).
front cover of an oscar wilde jigsaw

Oscar Wilde鈥檚 life turned into puzzle by 天堂视频 academic

Oscar Wilde is one of the most famous and often-quoted writers of the Victorian era. His life and literary works have been transformed into plays, films and television shows 鈥� but now they have been turned into a jigsaw puzzle.

Japanese Language Classes available on campus

The University is running in-person Japanese language courses on campus, open to anyone aged 18 and over.
Nicole kidman sat at a desk in a dark room

The Perfect Couple: a cocktail of Succession, The White Lotus and Agatha Christie that ultimately fails to deliver

鈥淣antucket!鈥� exclaims Ishmael, the narrator of Herman Melville鈥檚 Moby-Dick (1851). 鈥淟ook at it 鈥� a mere hillock, and elbow of sand; all beach, without a background.鈥�
Professor Si芒n Adiseshiah

Professor Si芒n Adiseshiah delivers keynote lecture at Alagappa State University,

Head of English Professor Si芒n Adiseshiah was invited to deliver a keynote lecture to faculty and postgraduate students at the English Department at Alagappa State University, Tamil Nadu, India, on 22 August 2024.

Bethany Dark, Subomi Lawal and Eva Patterson

Winners of the 8th Barbara Bagilhole Memorial Awards announced

We鈥檙e delighted to announce this year鈥檚 winners of the Barbara Bagilhole Memorial Award for coursework in Equity and Diversity.
a cartoon drawing in black and white of a woman writing with a quill during the regency period

The Amorous Prince by Aphra Behn was the #MeToo play of the 17th century

Seventeenth-century writer Aphra Behn (1640-89) made her name in London鈥檚 theatre world as the playwright who provided the Duke鈥檚 Theatre Company (the theatre company chartered by King Charles II at the start of the Restoration era) with some of its biggest hits.

English students awarded prizes at Graduation

Last week, our 2024 cohort graduated and enjoyed a brilliant day on campus celebrating with friends, family, and staff members from our School.

New Dean of School of Social Sciences and Humanities appointed

Professor Justin Waring has been appointed as the new Dean of 天堂视频鈥檚 School of Social Sciences and Humanities

天堂视频 Researcher hosts bimodal conference on Marie Corelli

On 4 May 2024 天堂视频 Doctoral Researcher Joanna Turner and Eleanor Dobson from the University of Birmingham hosted a bimodal conference on the enigmatic and prolific author, Marie Corelli, a century after her death.

天堂视频 ranked in top 10 for English in Complete University Guide 2025

天堂视频 has been ranked 7th in the UK overall for English in the Complete University Guide 2025. We have also ranked 6th for graduate prospects in English.

New exhibition on campus: Health From Cradle to Grave

An exhibition highlighting the work from English at 天堂视频鈥檚 Health Humanities Research Network will be held from 27 March-23 April in the Martin Hall Exhibition Space.
Kerry Featherstone and Tanya

English students awarded prizes at Graduation

On 15th December, our 2023 postgraduate cohort enjoyed a brilliant graduation day on campus celebrating with friends, family, and staff members from our School.
pink book cover

English Academics win Modern Languages Association Prize

Dr Claire Bowditch and Professor Elaine Hobby have won the prestigious Modern Languages Association Prize for a Scholarly Edition for their work on The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Aphra Behn, Volume IV: Plays 1682-1696. The award is presented by The Modern Language Association of America (MLA).
National Student Survey 2023

English achieves success in recent National Student Survey

According to the most recent results from the National Student Survey (NSS), 93% of English students at 天堂视频 were positive about the teaching on their course.*
A student sitting down with a book

Winners of the 7th Barbara Bagilhole Memorial Awards announced.

The winners were awarded at a virtual ceremony held by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities on 14 November.
A male student wearing a purple hoody working on his laptop

Top tips for writing the perfect personal statement for Liberal Arts

Studying Liberal Arts at 天堂视频 offers a broad and well-rounded education that can be both intellectually stimulating and versatile. If you are applying for 2024 entry, you're probably now thinking about your application and personal statement. Writing a personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your passion for the humanities and your unique qualifications. If you're not sure where to get started, check out our top tips below for writing the perfect personal statement when applying for Liberal Arts.
close up of hand writing

Winner of the 2023 Overton Poetry Prize announced

Poet Liz Dickinson has been named winner of the 2023 Overton Poetry Prize.

The book that haunts me 鈥� seven experts on the scariest thing they鈥檝e ever read

With Halloween approaching, The Conversation asked six academic experts including Dr Nick Freeman, to talk about the scariest book they鈥檝e ever read.

A year of events to celebrate Canterbury鈥檚 forgotten daughter, Ahra Behn

A new project celebrating Aphra Behn, Canterbury鈥檚 most famous but most forgotten daughter, was launched last week, sparking a year鈥檚 worth of exciting events and activities.

Holly by Stephen King: a timely work of crime fiction about not judging a book by its cover

At the age of 76, with nearly 70 novels and short story collections behind him, American author Stephen King shows few signs of slowing down. His latest novel Holly, hefty in scale and elaborate in plotting, is the work of an energetic writer, not one who is getting tired.

Japanese Language Classes available on campus

The University is running in-person Japanese language courses on campus, open to anyone aged 18 and over.

Lecturer publishes new historical fiction book

Dr Sara Read, Senior Lecturer in English, has published a new historical fiction titled 鈥楾he Midwife鈥檚 Truth鈥�, a sequel to her previous novel 鈥楾he Gossips鈥� Choice鈥� published in 2020.

English students awarded prizes at Graduation

Last week, our 2023 cohort graduated and enjoyed a brilliant day on campus celebrating with friends, family, and staff members from our School.

天堂视频 academics awarded grant funding for impact work in Canterbury

Two 天堂视频 academics have been awarded 拢100,000 by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to deliver a programme of work in the city of Canterbury based on the works of 17th century writer Aphra Behn.

Winners of the Barbara Bagilhole Memorial Prize announced

The winners of 2023 Barbara Bagilhole Memorial Prize have been announced.

Cormac McCarthy: a powerful writer who beautifully wrote about apocalypse and extinction

Dr Andrew Dix explores the works of Cormac McCarthy

Top 10 for English in the Complete University Guide 2024

天堂视频 has been ranked 8th overall for English and 1st for graduate prospects in English in the Complete University Guide 2024

Outside the Lines Literary Festival

A student-led literary festival celebrating diversity is taking place on campus and in the town centre next week.

Raising children in the 16th century: Parenting tips you may (not) want to try

Dr Joan Fitzpatrick, of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, has looked at our ancestors鈥� advice for raising children.

Alumnus shares autistic experience in new book, Untypical

Pete Wharmby has released his new book, Untypical: How the world isn鈥檛 built for autistic people and what we should all do about it.

天堂视频 English researcher curates exhibition on poetry and fashion for the National Poetry Library

Poets in Vogue is an exciting new exhibition for the National Poetry Library, scheduled to open at the Southbank Centre during London Fashion Week (17 February 2023).

White Noise review 鈥� director Noah Baumbach skilfully captures Don Delillo鈥檚 鈥榰nadaptable鈥� novel

Never one to downplay the power of film, Stanley Kubrick once said that 鈥渁lmost every novel could be successfully adapted鈥�.

Emily Bront毛鈥檚 death needs to be radically reimagined

天堂视频 expert, Claire O'Callaghan claims.

The best fiction of 2022: death and life in Cormac McCarthy鈥檚 The Passenger

In his book On Late Style, published posthumously in 2006, the Palestinian American critic Edward Said identifies a striking characteristic of some writers as they near the end of their lives.

First book published on utopian plays calls for drama to be taken seriously as a utopian cultural form

The first full-length study to examine utopian plays in Western drama from antiquity to the present, Utopian Drama: In Search of a Genre (Methuen Drama, 2022) analyses utopian drama through the ages, and considers the added value that live performance brings to the fictional presentation of utopian societies.

Macabre collection of ghostly tales released to reignite interest in author

A selection of supernatural fiction from 20th century author A.M. Burrage is being rediscovered in a new book which celebrates his eeriest and most ghoulish works.

Wuthering Heights, Emily Bront毛 and the truth about the 鈥榬eal-life Heathcliff鈥�

When Emily Bront毛 published Wuthering Heights in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, outraged Victorian critics deemed it savage, indecent and immoral. One described it as 鈥渁 compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors鈥�.

Dr Clare Hutton to feature in new BBC Arena documentary 鈥楯ames Joyce鈥檚 Ulysses鈥�

Dr Clare Hutton from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities discusses the women who supported James Joyce and the publication of his landmark novel, Ulysses, in a new BBC Arena documentary.

English students awarded prizes at Graduation

Last week, our 2022 English cohort graduated and enjoyed a brilliant day on campus celebrating with friends, family, and staff members from our School.

English achieves success in recent National Student Survey

According to the most recent results from the National Student Survey (NSS), 天堂视频 has been ranked top 5 in the UK for overall satisfaction in English studies.

Aphra Behn statues to tour UK as part of national competition

Four statues of Aphra Behn, the first professional woman writer, are due to tour the UK as part of a competition to find a fitting monument of the 17th century author.

天堂视频 research to feature in the 2022 British Academy Summer Showcase

Research by 天堂视频 will feature in this year鈥檚 British Academy Summer Showcase, an event designed to celebrate the work of Academy-funded researchers from around the world.

English achieves outstanding results in Research Excellence Framework 2021

English has achieved outstanding results in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. An impressive 83% of the Division鈥檚 research was rated 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent', 62% of its environment rated 'world leading', and 52.4% of its outputs rated 'world leading'.

Irish Ambassador to the US welcomed to Texas exhibition about James Joyce鈥檚 Ulysses

The Irish Ambassador to the United States has commended an exhibition which highlights the vital role the women in James Joyce鈥檚 life had in his masterwork, Ulysses.

Ulysses centenary: Exhibition looks at the unsung women in James Joyce鈥檚 life

The centenary of James Joyce鈥檚 celebrated novel Ulysses is being marked by a new exhibition which tells the story of the women who helped make his literary vision a reality.

Academics appointed to review QAA 2022 Subject Benchmark Statements

Three 天堂视频 academics have been appointed to the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) advisory groups, to review the 2022 Subject Benchmark Statements.

Ulysses centenary: Lecture looks at the unsung women in James Joyce鈥檚 life

A lecture marking the centenary of James Joyce鈥檚 Ulysses will focus on the women who helped the Irish author make his landmark novel a success.

天堂视频 literary professor campaign for statue of 17th century writer Aphra Behn to be erected in Canterbury

A professor of 17th century literature is lobbying for a statue of playwright Aphra Behn to erected in the city where she was born.

Learn how to be more environmentally friendly with lessons from the 1600s

Practical skills from 400-years-ago that could help you become more self-sufficient and eco-friendlier are being taught by 天堂视频 academics later this month.

天堂视频 ranked 2nd in the UK for English and Creative Writing

天堂视频 has been recognised by the Guardian University League Tables as being 2nd in the UK for English and Creative Writing.

天堂视频 launches new Liberal Arts degree course for 2022

天堂视频鈥檚 School of Social Sciences and Humanities is now offering students an opportunity to study a brand new, innovative undergraduate degree programme in Liberal Arts which will commence in September 2022.

New project to record, curate and archive 50 years鈥� worth of feminist stories and memorabilia to secure the legacy of an extraordinary movement

天堂视频 and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, D煤n Laoghaire, are working together to record, curate, and archive 50 years鈥� worth of oral histories and digitised records of feminist artists in Ireland and the UK.

From the great plague to the 1918 flu, history shows that disease outbreaks make inequality worse

In May 2021, virologist Angela Rasmussen reflected how 鈥渋f the last 18 months have demonstrated anything, it鈥檚 that we would do well to remember the lessons of past pandemics as we try to prevent future ones鈥�. This includes ensuring we come out stronger.

Titans of the Teardrop Isle: 天堂视频 English graduate, Seth Burkett, on his latest book

天堂视频 English graduate, Seth Burkett, has published a new book about his time playing professional football in Sri Lanka.

New video highlights the spying career of 17th century novelist Aphra Behn 鈥� England鈥檚 first professional woman writer

With the help of 天堂视频鈥檚 Professor Elaine Hobby, an expert in 17th century studies, the Archives has created a seven-minute video which tells the story of how Behn briefly became an undercover agent of King Charles II.

天堂视频 English expert to lead international project that will investigate how AI can make digital cultural records more accessible to users

Senior Lecturer in English and Digital Humanities at 天堂视频, Dr Lise Jaillant, is leading an exciting international project.

Ye olde Christmas: What we can learn about celebrating Yuletide from the 1600s

Christmas might feel like it鈥檚 cancelled because of coronavirus but spare a thought for families who lived around 400 years ago 鈥� when Parliament literally outlawed the festive holidays.

Dr Si芒n Adiseshiah discusses the work of Caryl Churchill in new conversation piece

The piece was recorded by the Court Theatre, Chicago, in dialogue with the Theatre鈥檚 Dramaturg, Derek Matson.

Wikithon: 'Old' and 'New' 天堂视频

An upcoming event at the Being Human Festival, organised by Dr Sara Read, Dr Catie Gill, and Dr Lise Jaillant, sets to invite 天堂视频 locals to connect with their past and neglected figures of the town鈥檚 history.

Two of 天堂视频's School of Social Sciences and Humanities Alumni awarded Queen鈥檚 Honours

Two 天堂视频 Alumni from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities have been awarded Queen鈥檚 Honours in the Birthday list, published in early October.

Catriona Fida wins Award for Neo-Victorian Essay

English student, Catriona Fida, has won the prestigious prize within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities of 鈥楤est Student Paper Award in Equality and Diversity鈥�, being awarded 拢100 prize money.

Let's Talk 'Dirty'!

From the 28th-30th of October, there will be an online symposium exploring 鈥榙irty鈥� matters.

天堂视频 Graduate, Chlo毛 Morgan, explores the COVID-19 pandemic through Poetry

天堂视频鈥檚 online magazine, The Limit, has published a series of poems by recent English Graduate, Chlo毛 Morgan, exploring the theme of the current Coronavirus pandemic.

天堂视频 Ranked Top 10 in the UK for English

The results of the latest Guardian University League Table place 天堂视频 in the UK Top 10 for English and Creative Writing.

Louis鈥檚 short film attracts thousands of views and several accolades

Alumnus Louis Chan has recently released a short film on YouTube, and within two weeks he amassed more than 120,000 views.

Clearing and adjustment vacancies 2020

We鈥檒l begin making clearing and adjustment offers from 8am on Thursday 13 August. If you already know your results, you can call our clearing and adjustment hotline today and we can talk you through your options.

A Walk through 天堂视频's Cinema History with Andrew Dix

Because of coronavirus, 天堂视频's cinemas currently lie empty and silent. While we wait for them to be lively again, this podcast recaptures the vivid history of the town's film-watching from the end of the nineteenth century to the present

School of Poetry podcast releases special video episode

天堂视频鈥檚 School of Poetry podcast has released its first video episode 鈥� 鈥楢I poetry, unexpected coal-trucks and Milton'.

Turning Point At 20: 天堂视频 Reminisces on Film and Literary Favourites

English and Sports Science student Hannah Bradfield has written an article on 天堂视频's Film and Literary favourites.

Read it and weep: Top 6 texts to read before you start your English degree

Our final year student Caroline Haddow has collated 6 texts that she thinks will aid you before you start your English degree, or texts that are just staples to read full-stop!

Novel ideas to help you read more in 2020

Healthy diet starting to waver? Is a night in front of the telly once again more appealing than heading to the gym? Has your Dry January gotten a little bit damp?

Exercise in the 16th century: Historical workouts for body and soul by Dr. Joan Fitzpatrick

New Year, new me鈥� we鈥檝e all heard the saying and usually scrawled at the top of our resolution list is the promise to exercise more.

No-tivity: The 17th century satirical backlash when Parliament banned Christmas

Three hundred and seventy years ago, between 1645 and 1660, Parliamentarians completely outlawed Christmas.

Success for English students named LU Arts鈥� 2019-20 scholars

An event held earlier this week celebrated this year鈥檚 recipients of the LU Arts鈥� scholarships.

New episode of the 鈥楽chool of Poetry鈥� podcast looks at transport poetry

天堂视频 academics look at poetry that focuses on the theme of transport in a new episode of the 鈥楽chool of Poetry鈥� podcast.

Graduate Sarah Ann Juckes nominated for the Carnegie Prize

English graduate Sarah Ann Juckes has been nominated for the Carnegie Prize for her debut novel 'Outside'.

Big Booker Read marks new partnership with acclaimed literary award

Anne Enright, author of The Gathering, attends the University's successful Big Booker Read event, which celebrated the University's new partnership with the Booker Prize Foundation.

Dr Nick Freeman on why Charles Baudelaire was the godfather of Goths

His legacy connects a great swathe of modern popular culture.

Clearing and Adjustment vacancies 2019

We are likely to have vacancies for well-qualified English applicants in Clearing and Adjustment for 2019 entry.

New poet-in-residence announced for 2019-20

English students at 天堂视频 will benefit from working with published poet and mentor Nellie Cole in the next academic year.

Student satisfaction rates for English are among the highest in the UK

The results of the latest National Student Satisfaction (NSS) survey place 天堂视频 in the UK top 10 for overall student satisfaction in English studies.

English lecturer elected Fellow of Royal Historical Society

One of the School's English lecturers has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

English graduate wins international poetry prize

The winner of the 2018 天堂视频 Overton Poetry Prize, which attracts entries from around the world, has been announced as Natalie Moores, who graduated with an MA in Creative Writing from 天堂视频.

English graduate鈥檚 first novel hits high-street book shops

Sarah Ann Juckes, who graduated with an English BA from 天堂视频, has described how her first novel has come to sit on the shelves of the book shop she visited as a child.

Creative Writing graduate performs debut grime-poetry show at London鈥檚 Royal Court Theatre

Deborah 鈥楧ebris鈥� Stevenson (MA in Creative Writing, 2012) recently brought together music, movement, lyrics and poetry for a show commissioned to celebrate the centenary of a milestone in the campaign for gender equality.

Samantha-Jane 'Sammy Parris

The University鈥檚 winter graduation celebrations are an opportunity to celebrate and honour the class of 2018, many of whom have shown tremendous commitment to their studies. One such student is Samantha-Jane 鈥楽ammy鈥� Parris, who graduated with a BA in English Literature.

English alumna鈥檚 work set to feature on BBC documentary

Shruti Chauhan is a poet and performer, known for her part in poetic trio Three the Hard Way 鈥� Part 2 and for her solo performances.

English graduate adds to his list of football-inspired publications

In his latest work, No Final Whistle, BA English and Sport Science graduate Seth Burkett draws on his experience as a professional footballer to write a story for young adults.