CfP: Victorian Diversities Research Network Workshop, University of Bristol

Tuesday 4th April, 2023 | University of Bristol

This workshop, organised by the Victorian Diversities Research Network and the University of Bristol, aims to bring together scholars engaged in seeking new methodologies, to ‘widen’ and ‘undiscipline’ historical literary fields, and regauge our understanding of what comprises ‘Victorian’ writing.

Breaking the geo-temporal linkage between literature and the Anglo-American cultural and political contexts that have traditionally structured literary studies has made visible transnational affiliations that were previously occluded by nationalist literary-historical frameworks.

Meanwhile, the recognition that Euro-American culture was and continues to be structured by race and racial difference has enabled productive engagements with interdisciplinary fields such as Black studies, settler colonial studies, Indigenous studies and postcolonial studies that seek to de-naturalise whiteness and problematise the centring of white experience and white cultural production within historical literary fields.

The established elements in nineteenth century literature are often challenged by varying undercurrents and writings from the resisting peripheries (based on race, gender, class, etc.,), both within the UK and its former colonies, as well as across the world.

Recognising that the rereading inherent in the work of ‘undisciplining’ is always in process, we invite scholars working through these intersections and problems to join for a collaborative and convivial in-person workshop to present and respond to ‘work in progress’ to be held at the University of Bristol. Participants can choose to:

• A) present a 10-minute introduction (with an option for pre-circulating draft papers) outlining key questions and problems that they are working through, materials they have discovered that enable a broadening of the term ‘Victorian’;
• B) present a 20-minute talk without a pre-circulated paper.

We also welcome respondents who are willing to listen and give feedback without offering their own research but just wish to be a part of the discussion. This workshop will be held on Tuesday April 4th, 2023 in Bristol.

As this is a free but limited capacity event, expressions of interest should be sent to Dr Éadaoin Agnew (E.Agnew@kingston.ac.uk), Tarini Bhamburkar (tarini.bhamburkar@bristol.ac.uk) or Dr Lara Atkin (l.e.atkin@kent.ac.uk) by Wednesday March 15th 2023.

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