ACADEMIC CONFERENCES Issue 10 October 2013 Greek Myths on the Map

The 6th Greek Myths on the Map was the sixth breadth of the Greek mythic tradition, The organizers Myth Conference

iteration of Bristol’s long-running series of and geographically across the basin wish to thank Greek Myths on the Map international myth conferences. The theme of the Mediteranean and beyond. The those who Keynote Speakers: explored the intricate connections between organizers worked hard to put together provided financial Dr Katherine Clarke University of Oxford

Greek myth and ancient geographical a programme which included specialists and material Prof. Richard Hunter BIRTHA NEWS

thought, and produced a wealth of material on ancient geographical texts alongside support: Bristol’s Supported by:

University of Bristol, THE BRISTOL INSTITUTE FOR School of Humanities those working on myth, and to include Institute of Greece, examining how myths shaped the ancient The Bristol Institute for Research in the Humanities and Arts (BIRTHA)

RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES AND ARTS The Bristol Institute of Greece, both emerging and established scholars. Rome and the Rome, and the Classical Tradition Greeks’ understanding of the world, and

the impact of changing perceptions about The two keynotes forged a particular sense Classical Tradition, Postgraduate bursaries are available, kindly supported by BIRTHA NEWS the geography of the world on traditions of of occasion. Dr Katherine Clarke (Oxford) the School of THE BRISTOL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES AND ARTS bristol.ac.uk/birtha mythic storytelling. spoke captivatingly of the interplay of Humanities, www.bris.ac.uk/arts/birtha/ myth and landscape; Prof. Richard Hunter The Classical 31st July—2nd August 2013 events/greekmyths/ The idyllic surrounds of Clifton’s Goldney (Cambridge) struck a more introspective Association and Hall hosted a collegial gathering of some tone with his topic ‘deserts in the soul’. The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic IN THIS ISSUE… fifty delegates from across Australia, Studies. The conference could not have North America, the Middle East, Europe, In keeping with the tradition of Bristol myth taken place as it did without the backing of FROM THE DIRECTOR and the UK. Over three days, eighteen conferences, a volume of collected essays BIRTHA, and the administrative guidance and papers ranged conceptually across the on the theme is planned. assistance of Sam Barlow and Kat Burger. revisited the question from last year ‘What The talk attracted over 125 people from the is a university?’. In addition to encouraging general public as well as academics from a continuation of this analysis within the the University. This year’s BIRTHA Lecture University itself, some members from the will be part of the second InsideArts Week Female Fury and the Masculine Spirit of Vengeance: 2012 debate developed a lateral discussion (10-16 November 2013, bristol.ac.uk/ group wherein we considered the lack of arts/festival/programme/). The BIRTHA Revenge and Gender from Classical to Early Modern Literature interaction between town and gown. As Lecturer will be Professor Paul Gough, the a result, on 26 February 2013, BIRTHA Royal West of England Academy Professor organized a discussion between the of Fine Arts and Deputy Vice-Chancellor This two-day in texts from the classical period to the (such as through cursing or goading), Female Fury and the Masculine Spirit of Vengeance: Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) (Academic) at the University of the West of REVENGE and GENDER international Renaissance. asking whether these acts constitute an from Classical to Early Modern Literature and the asking the England. The lecture is entitled: ‘“Running If you would like any assistance or guidance on how conference, held important means of female agency. Papers question ‘Whose street is it anyway?’. The out of memory”: Inscribing the city in the BIRTHA can help you please do get in touch or call into at University of Professor Edith Hall gave a public lecture on also explored how revenge, while often event was held at Rise, the independent cause of commemoration’, and will reflect the office in the Graduate Centre, 7 Woodland Road. Bristol on 5 and 6 ‘A Day in the Life of an Erinys’, exploring the thought of as a quintessentially masculine music store on the Triangle. The speakers on the underlying issues behind public My office hours are Tuesday – Friday, 9.30 – 3 pm. September 2012, cultural, psychological, and linguistic origins activity, can be portrayed as intensifying were a mix of University of Bristol commemoration, drawing on examples brought together of the Furies’ gender, and Professor Alison passionate feelings traditionally thought of academics and members of the PRSC. It from the mass mourning for Diana, Princess Samantha Barlow established Findlay in her lecture ‘Re-marking Revenge: as feminine. The discussion generated by is worthy of note that from among the 60 of Wales, and the recreational grief that BIRTHA Co-ordinator scholars and Gender and Performance in Renaissance the conference (and some of the papers Juan de Flandes, Herodias' Revenge (1496). Antwerp, © Museum Mayer van den Bergh. people who attended there was a handful of many feel has become part of the British 5-6 September 2012, University of Bristol PhD students Drama’ addressed how classical texts given) will provide the foundation for a Professor Carolyn Muessig Keynote speakers: ALISON FINDLAY University folk as well as a majority from the zeitgeist, to other less reverential forms EDITH HALL to explore the are reimagined and reinterpreted in collection of essays on the subject being BIRTHA Director http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/birtha/events/revenge-conf/ public who had hitherto never participated of remembering – urban graffiti, rogue

Supported by the Bristol Institute for Research in the Humanities and Arts (BIRTHA), Bristol’s Institute of Greece, Rome and the Classical Tradition, and the Department of English. complex and Renaissance literature. Other papers considered by Cambridge University Press. artworks, guerrilla gardening. The talk INTERN REPORT varied ways that gender impacts the presented at the conference investigated The conference was organized by This year BIRTHA supported dozen will take place on Monday, 11 November performance and interpretation of revenge how women influence retribution indirectly Lesel Dawson (English). of colleagues on the Conference, “The annual BIRTHA 2013, 6.30, Great Hall, Wills Memorial Research Grant, Small Grant and Building. The event is free but booking Annual Research Grant schemes. debate affords an opportunity is necessary (bristol.ac.uk/arts/festival/ for staff, students and the programme/2013/3.html). BIRTHA’s backing goes a long way to public to discuss questions of POSTGRADUATE CONFERENCE SCHEME reinforce research initiatives at every level, As ever, thanks are owed to the Dean, reaffirming the Faculty’s commitment to academic relevance.” Professor Mike Basker and our outgoing On Friday 22 and Saturday 23 February or three papers each and covered topics delegates. The conference was a stimulating assist colleagues’ research whether on a Faculty Manager, Paula Coonerty for their 2013, the University of Bristol Centre for such as ‘corporeally imaging the sacred’, and enjoyable experience for delegates departmental, school, faculty, inter-faculty constant support of BIRTHA. Thanks are Medieval Studies hosted its 19th annual ‘forgiving the sinner’, ‘searching for spiritual and organizers alike, and a lot of common or inter-university level. In addition to the in a University fuction. We were glad to find also owed to the the time and dedication Postgraduate Conference. perfection’, ‘depicting the (fragmented) ground was discovered. support given to academics, BIRTHA also out that the streets are owned by us all, provided by the BIRTHA Committee, body’, ‘mind and body in intellectual life’, has assisted postgraduates in enabling but the public did indicate a skeptical view the BIRTHA intern Katharina Burger The BIRTHA internship has been a very useful and enjoyable The conference was kindly sponsored ‘mind and body in Islamic cultures’, and Principal Organizer: them to run and organize conferences in of the University in general and what its and especially Sam Barlow, BIRTHA experience. Helping with the organization of events, such as by BIRTHA, with additional help from the ‘questions of medicine and healing’. Tamzin Simmons their areas of expertise. BIRTHA has also function and place are in Bristol. The public Co-ordinator, without whom BIRTHA would conferences, has allowed me to gain some insight into the School of Modern Languages and the PhD candidate, Italian supported research students needing wants more opportunity to speak to the not be able to flourish. Best of luck to many different research areas at the Faculty of Arts. Being departments of History and English. The We were delighted to welcome Dr. Matthew CMS conference 2013 funding to cover publication costs such as University. A follow-on was ‘Dante and Dan everyone for a fruitful and productive year. involved with the processing of applications for funding theme of the conference was Mind and Treherne of the University of Leeds as our Organizing Team: copyright charges for images. Brown’ held on 14 May 2013. The panel has helped me to develop an awareness of the relevant Body, and drew graduate students and early keynote speaker. Dr. Treherne gave an Jade Bailey, Emma Croker, Paul Seage, included both the Directors of the Institute Professor Carolyn Muessig assessment criteria. Overall, the internship has contributed career scholars from universities across the address on ‘Perspectives on Mind and Nadine Weber, Andraea Zambakides. The annual BIRTHA debate affords an for Advanced Studies and BIRTHA. Director of BIRTHA to my ability to facilitate interdisciplinary research in the future UK working on medieval topics in a range of Body, Thought and Action in the Middle opportunity for staff, students and the University of Bristol as it has exposed me to different views on related research disciplines. The sessions comprised of two Ages’, which was of great interest to public to discuss questions of academic Last year’s annual BIRTHA Lecture featured [email protected] problems and the University’s research support services that relevance. On 8 May 2013 participants A. N. Wilson who spoke on ‘Dante in Love’. can help bring researchers together for debates.

Katharina Burger BIRTHA, Faculty of Arts, Graduate Centre, University of Bristol, 7 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1TB Civil Engineering (PhD) Tel: 0117 331 7879 Email: [email protected] http://www.bristol.ac.uk/birtha A SELECTION OF FORTHCOMING RESEARCH PROGRAMMES SMALL GRANT SCHEME EVENTS SUPPORTED BY BIRTHA SCHEME AWARD 2013-14 Perspectives on Brazilian Culture Under this scheme BIRTHA makes an annual award of up to £5K Autum 2013 Perspectives on Brazilian Culture, held a contrast to the philosophical outlooks novels and talked about her future work at 19 - 20 October at the University of Bristol on 23 May of Europeans. Felipe Correa (Oxford) a public event held at Stanfords bookshop. BIRTHA Conference: ‘The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology The 1970s in Comparative Perspective Update 2012-14 2013, brought together the leading investigated the ways in which Lima The interview has been made available Launch Conference’ novelist Adriana Lisboa, and colleagues Barreto’s work engages with and draws as an open-access resource through the 24 October Team Leaders: Ruth Glynn, Mark Allinson. the first workshop, ‘Shaping the 1970s’ The BIRTHA numeracy workshop from Manchester, Oxford, Portsmouth on the Commedia dell’arte. Dr Rhian Atkin website: latinamericainbristol.org.uk/ 7.30-9.30pm, Victoria Rooms. Latif Bolat in concert Team Members: Rajendra Chitnis, (November 2013), which explores the series was launched with an and Bristol to exchange and develop (Bristol) delivered a paper on Adriana radio-continente/#adriana-lisboa- 11 November Hugh Pemberton, Debbie Pinfold, Gino extent to which it is possible to construct a introductory gathering and a ideas relating to the study of Brazilian perspectives. 6:30pm, Great Hall, Raymond, Claire Shaw, Caragh Wells. transnational history of the 1970s and asks reception in December 2012. culture. BIRTHA Annual Lecture: Professor Paul Gough, UWE whether the decade marks the beginning Our first workshop – ‘The numeracy The symposium enhanced The symposium enhanced the research ‘Running out of memory’: Inscribing the city in the cause The 1970s are making a comeback in of a significant political and social shift in agenda’ – was held in April 2013. The symposium explored a variety of environment in Portuguese and Brazilian of commemoration’ (part of InsideArts) the research environment popular culture and academic research. Europe and beyond. The second workshop, approaches to the study of Brazilian culture, Cultural Studies, and also allowed students In Western Europe and the Americas, ‘Remembering the 1970s’ (March 2014), The workshop combined papers from from film studies to literature, and from in Portuguese and Brazilian the invaluable opportunity to meet an author Workshops with Professor Ian Hacking, taking place in the the resurgence of interest in the decade explores representations of the decade colleagues from across the Faculty indigenous culture to engagement with they had studied. The event attracted an Verdon-Smith Room, , 3-5pm: Cultural Studies has resulted in close interrogation of the of Arts with contributions from guest Hollywood film. Dr Claire Williams (Oxford) audience from across the university and 28 October “Intro –‘Language, Truth and Reason’ 30 years later” relationship between the contemporary speakers to develop an inter-disciplinary examined the function of public transport beyond, with colleagues making the trip 29 October “Probabilistic Reasoning” world and the period that sought to approach to understanding the history in Brazilian road movies. Roberta Gregoli Lisboa’s novel, Symphony in White, and from as far afield as Exeter and Leeds. 30 October “Taxonomic Reasoning” 1970s are key to the evolution negotiate the radical social, political and and formation of contemporary and meanings of numeracy. Alexander (Oxford) discussed Brazilian understandings gained new insights on the novel through cultural potential of 1968. For countries Bird spoke on the history of numeracy of the relationship of gender to the physical discussing it with the author. Adriana The symposium was funded by the Medical Humanities Research Seminars untouched by the 1968 movement, the society, politics and culture within the medical profession, while Max body in ‘body swap’ films. Prof. Lúcia Sá Lisboa gave an interview to Dr Margaret BIRTHA Small Grants Fund and the Faculty Institute for Advanced Studies, Royal Fort House 1970s present a conundrum; marked less Jones addressed the implications of (Manchester) offered a paper exploring Clarke (Portsmouth) and talked about her Research Director’s Fund, while Adriana 31 October by distinct political and social change, they cognitive research on spatial-numerical Amazonian approaches to the relationship writing and Brazil’s position on the global Lisboa’s visit was funded by the Bristol- Professor Ronald Schleifer (University of Oklahoma) were nonetheless subject to revolutionary through the prism of memory studies and associations for the history of numeracy. between humans and the natural world as stage. Later, she read from some of her Brazil Fund. 26 November cultural movements reflecting the post- seeks to ascertain whether the events of Fiona Jordan charted the relationship Dr Antonio Casado da Rocha (University of the Basque Country, 1968 spirit. This research programme the decade or the interests of the present between numeral classifiers and social San Sebastian) explores the extent to which the 1970s have been most influential in shaping the stratification, developing a valuable 10 December are key to the evolution and formation of distinct memorial cultures of the decade anthropological perspective on numeracy. Dr Angela Woods (Centre for Medical Humanities, University of Luce Irigaray @ Bristol contemporary society, politics and culture. in different contexts. The final workshop, Alice Jenkins from the University of Durham) It consists of three one-day workshops, on ‘Legacies of the 1970s’ (May 2014), Glasgow traced the development of 11 February bookended by two distinguished lectures interrogates the ideological construction science and literature studies, raising From 9-15 June UK. The seminar culminated in a very how to envision and enact more ethical Dr Neil Vickers (King’s Centre for Medical Humanities, University and complemented by a film series of the 1970s in subsequent periods and significant methodological questions for 2013, the University well-attended symposium on Friday the relations between genders, generations of London) designed to support student engagement focuses particularly on agendas underlying the study of literature and numeracy, while of Bristol hosted 14 June at the Institute for Advanced and cultures. 18 March with the research programme. a construction of the decade as something Benjamin Wardhaugh from the University Luce Irigaray, one Studies, with presentations by the visiting Professor Clare Hanson (University of Southampton) beyond which we have moved and/or to of Oxford demonstrated the value that of the world’s most researchers and a lecture by Professor As recipient of a Leverhulme Trust Visiting 20 May The launch event, held in conjunction which we have no wish to return. The series the history of the book – more precisely influential continental Irigaray entitled: ‘Towards an Ethics of Professorship, Professor Irigaray plans to Professor Sander Gilman (Emory) with InsideArts, is a public lecture on closes with a public lecture by popular the Georgian mathematics textbook – philosophers. Desire and Love.’ Professor Irigaray also return to the University of Bristol in May- ‘Remembering the 1970s’ by Liberal historian Dominic Sandbrook. You can view can have in reconstructing cultures of signed copies of her latest book, In the June 2014 for an extended visit. She will Research Programme Scheme Award 2013-14: Democrat politician, Baroness Shirley the schedule of events for this project on numeracy in the past. James Thompson Trained as a linguist, philosopher and Beginning, She Was (2013, Continuum), again host her international seminar at the The 1970s in Comparative Perspective Williams of Crosby. This is followed by the BIRTHA website: bristol.ac.uk/birtha. rounded proceedings off by looking at the psychoanalyst in France, Professor a text that eloquently argues for a Institute for Advanced Studies in June 2014 7 November rich evidence of numerical reasoning and Irigaray’s decisive contribution to philosophy re-engagement with the pre-Socratic as well as participate in other activities 10am - 5pm, Workshop 1 ‘Shaping the 1970s’ debate apparent in the political culture of is her insistence that the defining question tradition in Western philosophy. related to her ongoing collaborations 13 November late nineteenth century Britain. of our age is the question of ‘sexual with researchers at Bristol. PhD or early 6.30pm, Public Lecture by Baroness Shirley Williams difference.’ Her work on this question has In the weeks preceding Professor Irigaray’s career researchers interested in learning 6 March 2014 SMALL GRANT SCHEME In 2013-14, the numeracy project will fundamentally transformed the nature recent visit to Bristol, a group of Bristol more about the Luce Irigaray International 10am - 5pm, Workshop 2 ‘Remembering the 1970s’ develop its historicising agenda with of inquiry into rhetoric, ethics, and the students and staff met to read and discuss Seminar will find further details at this 17 June a guest lecture and two workshops. legacies of Western philosophy. Her her work. Over 2013-2014, we plan to website: workingwithluceirigaray.com. Workshop 3 ‘Legacies of the 1970s’ Animals and Empire Workshop In October 2013, the Faculty will be publications include over 25 monographs maintain the momentum generated hosting a series of lectures by Professor and translations into 16 languages, and by her visit by organizing a series of BIRTHA’s support for Luce Irigaray’s visits Research Programme Scheme Award 2012-14 The workshop, held on 12 and 13 June forms a strong strand in terms of research Ian Hacking, the second of which – on continue to make a significant impact in the cross-Faculty reading group sessions to Bristol have been vital to generating Making Bristol Count: Historicising Numeracy 2013, was a great success, bringing as well as teaching. Funding acquired from probabilistic reasoning – is supported humanities, social sciences, arts, theology, on feminist philosophy, including the new research collaborations and networks, 18 December together postgraduate students and the University Research Strategy fund paid by the numeracy project. The first full and law. She is the only living philosopher work Julia Kristeva, as well as on and have helped bring together readers of Workshop ‘Painting by Numbers: Cultural Histories of Numeracy’ established scholars from a range of for a public lecture on 12 June at Bristol workshop in December 2013 reconstructs to have a ‘philosophical circle’ dedicated contemporary debates in feminist theory Irigaray’s work from across the University. May disciplines including Historical Studies, Zoo Gardens, thereby increasing the public the cultural history of numeracy, drawing to meeting and discussing her work on affect and ‘new materialism.’ We also Many thanks go to Carolyn Muessig ‘The mathematization of the mind? Science and social science in English and Geography. impact of the conference, and deepening upon a range of disciplines, and a mix (irigaray.org). plan to organize several events aimed at for her generous support for Professor the long nineteenth century’ existent ties between the Department of of speakers from the Faculty and from bringing Bristol researchers into closer Irigaray’s visits, as well as to Sam Barlow Approximately fifteen staff and students Historical Studies and the Zoo. We now outside Bristol. While at Bristol, Professor Irigaray hosted conversation with other readers of Irigaray’s for publicising events related to her visit Spring 2014 from the University, and fifteen staff and plan to formulate a range of outputs from her annual international seminar for doctoral philosophy in the UK, such as members to BIRTHA email list members. This is just 11– 13 April students from elsewhere (including US and the event, having received approaches from The final workshop in May 2013 will focus students whose research focuses on of the MaMSIE (Mapping Maternal a brief summary of activities planned for BIRTHA Conference: Medieval Romance in Britain Australian participants) presented a range of a variety of leading scholars (William Beinart in upon the mathematization of the mind aspects of her philosophy. Now in its 10th Subjectivities, Identities and Ethics) continuing conversations around Luce 7 May papers and contributed to some stimulating and Nigel Rothfels), publishers, and from in the long nineteenth century, revisiting year in the UK (and its 3rd year at Bristol), network based at Birkbeck. Irigaray’s work, and we invite BIRTHA BIRTHA Debate, 3 pm discussions surrounding the fields of Animal the online display space, the Animal History the relationship between quantification the seminar is a rare opportunity to engage members interested in collaborating on Is there a best method toward mindfulness? Studies, Animal History, Environmental Museum, thereby maximising the academic and discipline formation at a crucial in an intensive week-long dialogue with a Our aim is to submit a proposal to the future inter-disciplinary events related to her History and the important ways in which and public impact of the workshop. juncture in the history of the subjects small group of fellow researchers and with AHRC Research Network scheme to work (or to the work of feminist/Continental For more details and for a comprehensive listing of all such insights ought to fruitfully inform the studied in our Faculty. Professor Irigaray. This year, the seminar support further activities across faculties philosophers) to contact Dr Maria Fannin faculty events please check the Faculty of Arts website: teaching of imperial history, particularly at Simon Potter and Andrew Flack brought together visiting researchers from and institutions that address important in the School of Geographical Sciences at bristol.ac.uk/arts/research/events Bristol, where the histories of imperialisms (Historical Studies) James Thompson (Historical Studies) Hungary, the US, Italy, Germany, and the questions raised by Irigaray’s work, namely, [email protected].