Over 90 delegates from across the globe gathered for conference entitled "Dickens, Context and Co-occurrence”
Professor Michaela Mahlberg addresses delegates at the Birmingham & Midland Institute
The 29th Annual Dickens Society Symposium took place at the University of Birmingham last month from 15-18 July.
The conference, co-organised by Professor Michaela Mahlberg, Humbolt Professor in Applied Linguistics and Vice-President of the Dickens Society and Dr Caroline Radcliffe, Reader in Drama and Performance, brought together over 90 delegates from across the globe. Scholars from universities situated in Europe, India, Africa, the Middle East, the US and Canada, presented on the theme “Dickens, Context and Co-occurrence”.
Papers examined the various contexts that Dickens’s works are set in, connect to, and imagine, reflecting the multi-disciplinary scope of Dickens Studies in the 21st century.
In addition to the academic programme, delegates were also invited to attend “Dickens and Collins”, an exhibition curated by Caroline Radcliffe and hosted at the University’s main library, the theatre event “Phantasmagorical” with Careena Cullen aka Miss Sylvia Sceptre at the Barber Institute, a visit to the Birmingham & Midland Institute (BMI), and a walking tour taking in Birmingham Town Hall and the site of the Theatre Royal.
These activities all showcased Charles Dickens’ connections with Birmingham. Dickens visited Birmingham on several occasions, giving his first public reading of A Christmas Carol in Birmingham Town Hall in 1853, and was an early president of the BMI.
A high point for me was the informative visit to the Birmingham & Midland Institute, an educational facility affiliated closely with Charles Dickens, and the walking tour that followed. Birmingham is a truly lovely, diverse, and vibrant city, and it was a privilege to explore it on foot before the excitement of the Dickens Dinner.
Dean Hill, Education Support Administrator (School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion) was awarded the Robert B. Partlow, Jr. Prize recognising the best essay submitted for presentation at the Symposium by a graduate student, independent scholar, or contingent faculty member.
On receiving the award, Dean Hill said: “It was an incredible experience. As someone new to research, the opportunity to present at the Symposium was invaluable. It allowed me to refine my presentation skills and gain confidence in sharing my ideas in an academic setting. Winning both the bursary and the prize has provided tangible support for my academic pursuits.
This achievement demonstrates the potential for professional staff to engage in meaningful academic work, potentially opening doors for future collaborations or projects that bridge administrative and scholarly domains. I'm grateful for this opportunity and the support from both the Dickens Society and CAL.”
Claire Wood Associate Professor in Victorian Literature at University of Leicester and Secretary of the Dickens Society said:
“The University of Birmingham hosted a packed programme of thought-provoking papers, vibrant social activities, and a fascinating exhibition curated by Caroline Radcliffe. Dare I say it was 'the best of times'?!”
Caroline Radcliffe added: “The University of Birmingham rose to the occasion with a conference that was exciting and stimulating, contributing to its reputation as a leading research institution with world-class research in the Arts and Humanities. It all ran smoothly with support from Postgraduate Researchers from our English department, Charlie Gough and Natasha Booth-Johnson, whose work on programming and abstracts was exemplary, providing thematic panels reflecting the range of disciplines and critical positions represented at this year’s #DickensSociety2024.”
It was fantastic to have the support of the University in bringing the annual Dickens Society Symposium to this special place. I’ve been convinced for a while that Birmingham is not only the UK’s second city, but also the second city when it comes to Charles Dickens.
Reader in Drama and Performance
Biographical and contact information for Dr Caroline Radcliffe, Reader in Drama and Performance at the University of Birmingham.
Honorary Professor of Corpus Linguistics
Biographical and contact information for Professor Michaela Mahlberg, Honorary Professor of Corpus Linguistics
