Outline of the seminar 

1.   Welcome and Introductions - (5 mins)

 

2.   PGR-led Discussion - (5-25 mins)

PGRs, please take this opportunity to raise any topic at all. 

 

3.   ‘PGR Presents: 'Articulating the endless: fiction, Gothic and the pain of grief'

with Ali Cargill, Final year Doctoral Researcher in Creative Writing, Faculty of Arts Cultures and Education - (20 mins plus Q&A 5-10 mins)

Abstract: 

In this talk, my intent is to articulate personal grief creatively as a ‘chaotic process’ (Regnard & Kindlen, 2002:136-7) involving anger and despair (Ibid.) and as a state of endless being. As a platform of analysis, Gothic theory underpins my intent to articulate in fictional form this more complex model of grief. 

I note the Gothic sensibility as one from a time of barbaric (Spooner, 2006:13) pre-religious other-knowing, but also interpret the Gothic as a vibrant platform for contemporary writing, characterised by textual freedom. In my writing, I use a Gothic, properly monstrous witch-figure as a device through which I can articulate grief in visceral terms. The Gothic form therefore becomes a gauze, or veil which provides protection for the fiction writer to view, reframe and re-articulate loss and grief without fear of vulnerability.  

Ali will also share some thoughtsand tips on what she wished she'd known before she embarked upon her doctoral journey.  

4.   Spotlight on: 'Working with Archives: Lady Butler in Egypt' 

with Dr Catherine Wynn, Reader in Victorian and Early Twentieth-Century Literature and Visual Culture, Faculty of Arts Cultures and Education - (15 - 20 mins plus Q&A 5-10 mins)

Catherine will share with us some key insights into working with archive materials in the research process.  Catherine will use her experience of researching and writing her most recent book, a biography of Lady Butler, Victorian Britain's leading war artist, 'Lady Butler: War Artist and Traveller, 1846-1933', (Dublin: Four Courts Press).  Catherine's research for the book was supported by a grant from the Marc Fitch Fund.  There will be an opportunity for a question and answer session with Catherine after her talk. 

 

5.   'Any other business’

 

This is a hybrid event and will take place online on Teams and on campus

To view the full PGR Research Culture and Community Programme click here for more details

If you have any general questions about the seminar programme, please contact Jackie McAndrew at the Doctoral College in the first instance on jackie.mcandrew@hull.ac.uk