Humanities Postgraduate Researcher Showcase

Come along to hear about research being completed by our postgraduate researchers as part of their PhD studies. The showcase has speakers from across the humanities presenting an overview or one aspect in detail of their in-progress PhD projects. Some speakers are in their first year of their PhD and others are very close to finished. Each speaker will present for 15 minutes. The presentations will be followed by some comments from discussant Dr Tom Neuhaus, Head of the Discipline of Humanities, and then the audience can ask the speakers any questions they have about their presentations or projects. 

This Festival of Humanities event will be of interest to those:

• Wanting to hear about the scope of and diversity within humanities research
• Interested in what people do in postgraduate/PhD study
• Just wanting to learn (more) about the interesting topics covered in the presentations 

Speakers and presentations

Speakers are listed alphabetically rather than in presentation order.

George Barkes: An intellectual history of the climate denial movement within the transatlantic 

A historical analysis of the modern climate denial movement within both the United States and the United Kingdom. This presentation will investigate the evolving methodology used by the climate denial movement while seeking to understand the material and ideological conditions that allowed for its continued rise. 

Samantha Hudson: "Le we play mas!"

An insight into the wonderful world of the Carnival masquerades as a cultural heritage practice from the Caribbean, with a behind-the-scenes encounter as we approach mas camp season. Through costume experimentation, we delve into the elements of practice as research (P-a-R) as part of my methodology in my research journey. 

Caroline Jones: The '-opolis' phenomenon and urban-industrial identity in nineteenth-century Britain 

This paper analyses a neglected pattern of local identity construction in nineteenth-century British provincial newspapers: the 'opolis' phenomenon. This involved journalists and editors using nicknames such as 'Cottonopolis' (Manchester), or 'Ironopolis' (Middlesbrough) to infuse additional meaning, both positive and negative, into their commentary about these areas. The origins of this practice can be located in perceptions of London at this time, with depictions of the capital as a 'metropolis' at the heart of an empire creating a 'metropolitanisation' culture which pervaded the way other British cities and towns were portrayed in the press. This paper will not only show how London influenced this '-opolis' phenomenon but how it also played a critical role in the way it was utilised, demonstrating how the capital was not only used as a benchmark when judging '-opolis' cities and towns but was also seen as a rival for power and supremacy. 

Tabitha Peterken: Selling hope. Buying Brexit

Selling hope. Buying Brexit. Narratives Defining Life and Identity for North Yorkshire Fishermen Working Before and During EU Membership, is an ethnographic study of identity and hope in a small community. The fishers believed their identity, their community and their way of life was under threat and blamed the EU. Encouraged and emboldened they acted accordingly and voted for Brexit to reclaim their past identity. 

Alongside the interviews I was also confronting a change to my identity. I was forced to seek a diagnosis of Autism/ADHD and accept how my future might look. 

The fishers and I were both at a crossroads and we both voted for our own versions of hope in order to reclaim/claim our identity. 

Laura Stroud: Writing in the workplace: How creative writing pedagogy can be applied to build stronger teams

With businesses looking innovative ways to increase team cohesion, whilst also recognising the importance of creativity and creative solutions to workplace 'problems', there is not only space but a call for new approaches to team development. This research considers how creative writing and creative writing pedagogy can offer this needed solution. This short talk will provide an insight into the experiences of a first-year PhD student, exploring how to get started with research, and an overview of their current research project.

Chair: Dr Cara Penry Williams, Senior Lecturer in English Language