Launch Symposium for Centre for Research in Memory, Narrative and Histories, University of Brighton

The Centre for Research in Memory, Narrative and Histories brings together colleagues with a variety of interests and experience involving research on memory, narrative, and histories. The Centre provides a locus of disciplinary and interdisciplinary enquiry involving a wide range of approaches in the humanities and social sciences including: inter alia, history, cultural studies, literary studies, sociology, cultural and human geography, visual studies, performance studies, critical theory, psycho-social studies, and narrative theory.

This one-day launch symposium invited experienced researchers and practitioners to provide a personal overview of recent trends, current debates, and new trajectories in the main areas of the Centre’s work. These areas are: Archives and Histories; Creative Writing/Life Writing; Community History; Cultural Memory; Oral History and Life History; Public History.

The aim of the symposium was to act as a catalyst, stimulating discussion amongst a diverse group of researchers across the University of Brighton (and with colleagues from the University of Sussex and wider afield) about developments in and across these linked fields of activity, and encouraging critical reflection on evolving traditions, new directions and future possibilities.

Timetable

9.15 – 9.45am: Registration and tea/coffee on arrival

(Restaurant, First Floor, Westlain House)

9.45am: Introduction

Paddy Maguire

10.00 – 11.30am: Session 1: ‘Public History and Community History’

Hilda Kean (Ruskin College, Oxford): ‘People and their Pasts. Aspects of Public History Today’

Glenn Jordan (University of Glamorgan): ‘History, Memory, Cultural Politics: A People’s History Project in Cardiff Docklands’

Chair: Lucy Noakes

11.30am – 12.00pm: Tea/coffee break

(Restaurant, First Floor, Westlain House)

12.00 – 1.30pm: session 2: Archives and Histories

Andrew Flinn (University College London):’Archives and their Communities: Collecting Histories, Challenging Heritage’

Dorothy Sheridan: ‘Archive Fever and Archive Struggles: Tensions in the Creation, Care and Use of Archives with Stories from the Mass Observation Archive’

Chair: Nicola Smith

1.30 – 2.30pm: Lunch

(Restaurant, First Floor, Westlain House)

2.30 – 4.00pm: Session 3:  ‘Life History, Life Writing, Creative Writing’

Margaretta Jolly (University of Sussex): ‘Life History and/vs Life Writing’

Michelene Wandor (writer and Royal Literary Fund Fellow): ‘The voices of Creative Writing, Past and Present’

Chair: Mark Bhatti

4.00 – 4.30pm: Tea/coffee break

(Restaurant, First Floor, Westlain House)

4.30 – 5.15pm: Session 4: ‘Cultural Memory’

Carrie Hamilton (Roehampton University): ‘Cultural Memory and the Emotions: Exploring the Connections’

Chair: Deborah Philips

5.15 – 6.00pm: Plenary

Chair: Deborah Philips

Respondent: Graham Dawson

6.00 – 7.30pm: Wine reception

(Restaurant, First Floor, Westlain House)