Creative writing is a powerful and dynamic Section of the School, whose members produce exciting creative work and important critical research. The Section is particularly known for its strong international links, although it is also deeply embedded in its regional context. Ten members of staff contribute to this area, all of them practising writers, film-makers or practitioners in the cultural industries:
A number of other associated and visiting colleagues also contribute to Creative Writing postgraduate teaching and research, including Fred D’Aguiar (a former Leverhulme Visiting Professor), Nuruddin Farah (Leverhulme Visiting Professor), Jo Shapcott (a Visiting Professor), and the acclaimed poets Gillian Allnutt and Linda France. With the University of Durham we jointly host The North East Literary Fellowship.
Creative Writing staff direct and work closely with the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts (NCLA), a University Research Centre founded in 2009.The NCLA's primary aim is to contribute to the cultural life of the North East of England through the provision of readings, events, education, publications and projects in the field of creative writing. The NCLA has hosted lectures and workshops by many major literary figures, including Jeanette Winterson, David Almond, Ian McEwan, Jo Shapcott, Paul Muldoon and Seamus Heaney.
There is a strong tradition of creative and critical dialogue and publication in the School. This has focused on named writers (Elizabeth Bishop; Wilson Harris) but also explored the relationship between writing and health. Creative writers are also involved in the AHRC-funded research project Devolving Diasporas: Migration and Reception in Central Scotland, 1980 – present. The School has excellent resources for creative writing, including access to the collection of multi award winning poet, Barry MacSweeney.
Staff working in this area have published many books.
Postgraduates
The School has a very successful group of home and international postgraduate students working in the field of Creative Writing, and we have been particularly successful at securing AHRC-funded scholarships in recent years. Colleagues contribute to the successful MA in Creative Writing, Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Writing, and PhD in Creative Writing.
Conferences and Events
The School co-sponsors The Newcastle/Bloodaxe Poetry Lectures as a book series with Bloodaxe.