2-4 June 2016

The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham

We invite graduate students with interests in Shakespeare, Renaissance, and Early Modern Studies to submit paper proposals for the Eighteenth Annual British Graduate Shakespeare Conference.

This interdisciplinary conference provides a friendly and stimulating academic forum in which graduate students from all over the world can present their research and meet together in an active centre of Shakespeare research: Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘400 Years and Counting: Celebrating Early Modern Drama’, tying into the 2016 anniversary celebrations. In accordance with the Shakespeare Institute’s emerging reputation as a place for creative criticism, we also encourage creative responses. Undergraduate students in their final two years of study are invited to attend the conference as auditors (non-speakers).

This year our line-up of plenary speakers includes John Jowett (The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham), and Martin Killeen (University of Birmingham). See our blog for information on plenary speakers as they are confirmed. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend the RSC production of Hamlet, directed by Simon Godwin and starring Paapa Essiedu, at a group-booking price. Lunch will be provided each day, and there will be a party and reception for attendees.

We invite abstracts of up to 200 words proposing papers twenty minutes in length on subjects relating to Shakespeare, Early Modern, and/or Renaissance Studies. More creative forms of criticism, such as original writing or performance, may also be submitted, also requiring a 200-word abstract. We welcome papers from a wide variety of disciplines, from literature to art and cultural history and beyond.

Deadline for Paper Proposals: 23:59 GMT on 21 March 2016.

Presenters will be notified of acceptance in time to register by 21 April and secure any necessary visas. Auditors are encouraged to register by 19 May for early-bird pricing. Due to the growing success of this annual conference, we strongly encourage early registration to ensure a place on the conference programme.

For more information you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at britgrad.wordpress.com. Our email address is britgrad.conference@gmail.com; please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.