Thursday 26 September 2013

Ninth Annual British Society for Literature and Science Conference 2014

10-12 April 2014 University of Surrey, Guildford The BSLS invites 250 word proposals for 20 minute papers, or panels of three papers, on any subjects within the field of literature and science. This year the organisers would particularly welcome proposals addressing links between science and European and world literatures, and proposals for papers or panels on teaching literature and science. Proposals of no more than 250 words, together with the name and institutional affiliation of the speaker, should be sent in the body of messages (not in attachments) to g.tate@surrey.ac.uk Proposals for panels should include a separate proposal for each paper. The closing date for submissions is Friday 6 December 2013. The conference fee will be waived for two graduate students in exchange for written reports on the conference, to be published in the BSLS Newsletter- if interested mention this when sending in your proposal (you will need to be registered for a postgraduate degree at the time of the conference). Those attending the conference will need to make their own arrangements for accommodation (information on hotels will shortly be made available on the website). Membership: conference delegates will need to register as members of the BSLS (annual membership: £25 waged / £10 unwaged). It will be possible to join the BSLS when registering for the conference online. For further information and updates about the conference, please contact Gregory Tate (g.tate@surrey.ac.uk) or visit the conference website at http://tinyurl.com/pp6ubz5

Amiri Baraka at 80 Conference

Saturday 12 April 2014 University of Kent See attached notice for full CFP 2014 marks the 80th birthday of Amiri Baraka, of one of the most influential, controversial and galvanising cultural figures of the twentieth century. As poet, novelist, playwright, music critic, editor, and cultural organiser, Baraka has extended the possibilities of modern writing. This conference will seek to analyse how. From his early work as LeRoi Jones through to his agitational verse since the 1970s, Baraka has interrogated the relationship between art and political action, speech and act, writer and society, tradition and power, race and class, poet and nation, in the process re-imagining and enacting a radical politics that has forever marked the US social landscape. This conference seeks to assess the scope of nearly 65 years of work, considering the importance, paradoxes and potentialities of Baraka’s career across a range of disciplines. 200-word abstracts, along with your full name, academic affiliation (if applicable), and brief bio, should be sent to Ben Hickman at b.hickman@kent.ac.uk by 30th September 2013. Kent Amiri Baraka Conference: https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/baraka/

PhD Talk - Friday 04 October 2013

2.00 p.m. – 3 p.m. – venue to be confirmed “What I learned about doing a PhD from reading trashy novels” A Talk by Dr Inger Mewburn For further information and how to book a place: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/welcome/events/pgr/phdtrashynovels.aspx For queries about the event, please contact graduateschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Vitae Leadership in Action 19-22 November 2013

Hydro Hotel, Windermere for research staff and postgraduate researchers This programme provides researchers the opportunity to: - explore team leadership in theory and in practice - influence people towards a common goal/purpose - understand personal strengths and weaknesses as a leader - recognise achievements to create success within your research team - explore personal values and how these affect decisions - work with a team of experienced leaders from a range of career backgrounds - receive feedback on personal leadership styles and identify how these can be further developed. To find out more and to book your place, please visit the Leadership in Action webpage: www.vitae.ac.uk/lia2013 Cost and eligibility This event is for research staff and doctoral researchers. The fee is £730+VAT and it covers expert coaching and facilitation, materials, accommodation and all meals. Travel to the venue is not included.

Thesis Masterclass

Friday 04 October 2013 9.30 a.m. – 12 noon, G51 European Research Institute (ERI) Research Masterclass with The Thesis Whisperer: ‘Your thesis, so what?’ A Workshop with Dr Inger Mewburn, Australian National University. The College of Arts and Law Graduate School invites its students to a workshop with Dr Inger Mewburn, also known as The Thesis Whisperer, on the most important topic of all: how to speak concisely, persuasively and inspirationally about your research and why it matters. For further information: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/welcome/colleges/cal/calgs-thesis-whisperer.aspx. Places are limited and booking is essential. To book your place, please email calpg-research@contacts.bham.ac.uk

BJLL Review Panel Vacancies

The Birmingham Journal of Literature and Language is inviting applications to join its Review Panel from doctoral (PhD) researchers in EDACS. Members of the Review Panel will only be sent articles (3,500 to 4,000 words in length) for peer review that relate to their area(s) of research interest and each reviewer will only need to comment on a maximum of one article per volume. We are currently working on Volume V of the Journal and aim for the review process to begin in October 2013. Volume IV of the BJLL can be accessed here: http://upload.birmingham.imperiumuk.com/res_pageturner_flick.php?pt=33 The peer-review process consists of three stages: 1- Each article submitted to the BJLL is sent to a member of the Review Panel, together with a feedback form, for them to make their recommendations – you will have 14 days to return your comments 2- The article and completed feedback form are then sent to a member of the Editorial Board (members of which have already served as members of the Review Panel) for a second review 3- The article and both feedback forms are sent back to the General Editors for final review before being returned to the author for redrafting. Amendments are monitored and accepted by the General Editors. If you would like to apply, please complete the attached application form and return to the General Editors: webbjll@googlemail.com

Graduate School Welcome Week Events

The University Graduate School will be running the following events at the beginning of term for new postgraduate researchers: Coffee and cakes on 26th & 27th September - the event on 26th will be part of International Day so it will have an International theme to it. Induction Day on 21st October. This year’s Induction Day will be shorter than in previous years and the activities will finish at lunchtime. For more information see the intranet: https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/studentservices/graduateschool/events/index.aspx

Research Masterclass with The Thesis Whisperer: Your thesis, so what?

CAL Graduate School proudly invites you to a workshop with The Thesis Whisperer (aka Dr Inger Mewburn) on the most important topic of all: how to speak concisely, eloquently, persuasively and inspirationally about your research and why it matters. Inger was instrumental in the development of the Three Minute Thesis competition, and in line with the principles of the competition, this workshop will help you to focus on what really matters about your research. In the process, you should find yourself newly able to communicate your expertise in eloquent and exciting ways. Next year, the Birmingham Three Minute Thesis winner might be you! This is an ideal opportunity to learn strategies for explaining and highlighting the significance of your research in ways that will make sense to people other than your supervisors or examiners – and of course, this is a skill with enormous scope for transferability well beyond your research thesis The workshop begins at 9.30am on the 4th of October (Venue: G51 European Research Institute ERI) and is an excellent opportunity to learn strategies for explaining and highlighting the significance of your research in ways that will make sense to people other than your supervisors or examiners — this is your opportunity to learn public engagement skills from the horse's mouth, and we hope that new and continuing PhD students in particular will attend. If you've ever felt stumped by the 'so what?!' of your thesis, this is an event you should be at, and it's a skill with enormous scope for transferability well beyond the research thesis itself. For queries or to reserve a place at this fantastic event, please email: calpg-research@contacts.bham.ac.uk