Writing Between the Lines: A One Day Postgraduate Symposium Exploring Creative Writing as a Research Methodology

Settling words together in new configurations lets us hear, see, and feel the world in new dimensions (Richardson, 1994).

With a fusion of theory and imagination, fresh visions may be realised and broader evaluations become possible. If research is the methodical investigation of a subject or subjects in order to discover, uncover, develop and provide new knowledge then Postgraduate study in Creative Writing and Critical Practice becomes a powerful and worthy combined discipline within the academy.

Creative writing is an ever changing, ever shifting concern, emerging, generating, regenerating, splitting, shifting and copying, and it is in the business of examining the nature of being. We are never writing from ground zero. Through the groupings of new assemblages of ideas, words and critical thinking, the practice of writing regenerates and becomes new. As Jeri Kroll states (2013) 'the dynamic relationship between practice, methodology, theory and artefact that exists can be conceived of as a rhizomatic system'. Although it is clear creative writing is a discipline which can involve a high degree of intellectual input, it is still difficult to pin down and justify it as a specific research methodology.

This symposium: 3rd September 2016

Venue: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus

This symposium places a focus on how creative writing combines the philosophical enquiry of how we understand ourselves and the world we live in with practice and self-reflection as a research methodology.

We seek to bring together postgraduate candidates, teachers and practitioners to examine the relationship between theoretical study and creative practice with the aim of improving and upholding the sustainability of this expanding discipline at Masters and Doctoral level. 

The symposium is open to contributors from all subject areas and disciplines, though it is anticipated that it will be of principal appeal to those interested in creative writing as a research methodology within the following fields: literary studies; visual arts; philosophy; creative writing; film production;  education; performance; cultural geography; critical and cultural theory.

All delegates are invited to join a round table discussion of the research aspects within the creation of Dr David Oprava's forthcoming experimental novel entitled: The Codex Epiphanix, directly following this symposium.

8.15 – 8.55         Registration (Main Reception)

Tea and Coffee (Centro Student Union)

9.00 – 9.15         Lecture Theatre 2

Welcome (Professor Dan Davies, Dean of the Cardiff School of Education)

Formal Opening (Dr Kate North)

9.15 – 10.25        Keynote Speaker: Professor Kevin Mills    

'"What's new to speak?": writing (is reading) between the lines'

10.25 – 10.45     Break (Centro Student Union)

10.45 – 12.20      Panel Session 1

Political Writings (Lecture Theatre 2)

Chair: Dan Anthony

Poetics (C101)

Chair: Selina Philpin

Representing Bodies (C106)

Chair:  Dr Lucy Windridge

12.20 – 13.15      Lunch (Centro Student Union)

Poster Presentations.  Please take the opportunity to look at and discuss further research with your fellow delegates and colleagues

13.20 -14.35                Panel Session 2

Place and Process (Lecture Theatre 2)

Chair: TBC

Writing in Practice (C101)

Chair: Dr Kate North

Education (C106)

Chair: Sarah Dauncey

14.35 – 15.00                     Poster Presentation Q & A (Centro Student Union)          

15.05 – 16.20                     Panel Session 3

Research Practice (Lecture Theatre 2)

Chair: Richie Copeland

Understanding and Wellbeing (C101)

Chair: TBC

Calling things to Mind (C106)

Chair: Dr David E. Oprava

16.20 – 16.30                     Short Break

16.35 – 17.15                   Roundtable discussion with Dr David E. Oprava - The Codex Epiphanix (Lecture Theatre 2) Chair: Professor Jeff Wallace

                                             Professor Kevin Mills, Dr Josh Robinson and Jon Gower.

17.15 – 17.30                     Plenary and Symposium close                      

Proposals are invited, from PhD research students and independent scholars, for 20-minute papers. The conference is open to contributors from all subject areas and disciplines, though it is anticipated that it will be of principal appeal to those interested in Creative Writing as a research methodology within the following fields: literary studies; visual arts; philosophy; creative writing; film production; education; performance; cultural geography; critical and cultural theory. Topics for papers will be organised into panels, which might include or resemble, but are definitely not restricted to, the following:

• Cultural, global and political writing
• Post-humanism
• Psycho-geography and travel writing
• Environmental and sustainability issues
• Gender studies
• National identity
• Poetics
• The relationship between Science and Literature
• Digital Technology and Creative Writing
• The Theory and Craft of Writing
• Pedagogy and Research

Creative work, critical papers or a combination of the two are welcome.   

Please send abstracts of no more than 300 words for a proposed 20-minute presentation and include a short biography. Proposals are to be submitted electronically. The deadline for submission is 31^st March 2016.

Queries and correspondence regarding the conference should be addressed to Dr Lucy Windridge luwindridge@cardiffmet.ac.uk  or Selina Philpin sephilpin@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Queries regarding organisation, accommodation and logistics should be addressed to Huw Jones and/or  Donna O'Flaherty, conference administrators at:  cseenterprise@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Kevin Mills is Professor of English Literature at the University of South Wales, where he teaches courses in Intertextuality, English Renaissance Literature, Nineteenth-Century Literature, and Myth. Widely published on literary theory and Victorian literature, he is author of Justifying Language: Paul and Contemporary Theory (Macmillan, 1995); Approaching Apocalypse: Unveiling Revelation in Victorian Writing (Bucknell UP, 2007), and The Prodigal Sign: A Parable of Criticism (Sussex Academic Press, 2009). Two volumes of his poetry have been published by Cinnamon Press: Fool (2009), and Libra (2012). A third collection, Stations of the Boar, will appear from Cinnamon in February 2016. His recent publications – including essays on a diverse range of topics, such as Marilyn Monroe, the 1904 religious revival in Wales, and Ciaran Carson – blend critical and creative modes. He is currently working on a collection of essays engaging with Welsh Writing in English.

As part of our Sustainable Travel Plan, we encourage all visitors, students, and staff to travel to the University by walking, cycling, public transport, or by car sharing.

Cyncoed Campus
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cyncoed Road
Cardiff
CF23 6XD

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Bus

The 52/52A bus travels from the city centre to the Cyncoed campus every 15 minutes during the day, via Albany Road and Penylan Road.

Train

Heath High Level and Heath Low Level railway stations are approx. 25 minutes walk from the Cyncoed campus, serving the area from the Rhymney and Coryton lines. See National Rail Enquiries for train times.

Car

If travelling by car please use postcode CF23 6XD.

Related Websites

Cardiff Bus

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Traveline Cymru

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National Rail

National Express

We are pleased to be able to offer bed and breakfast student accommodation for Friday 2nd September 2016. Student en-suite rooms are available at a cost of £33 per night. The accommodation is situated on Cyncoed Campus.

Please be aware that campus accommodation is limited and should be booked early to avoid disappointment.

To book your room at Cyncoed Campus please add this option when completing the conference registration process.  Please see some suggestions for alternative accommodation below:

Hotels at a glance

Fees for the conference are as follows:

Student/unwaged rate: £25

Waged rate: £45
 
The fee is inclusive of conference registration, lunch and refreshments.

For enquiries regarding booking, or any other administrative detail please contact a member of the Cardiff School of Education Research and Enterprise team on cseenterprise@cardiffmet.ac.uk