ACADEMIC CONFERENCES Issue 10 October 2013 Greek Myths on the Map The 6th Bristol 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 University of Cambridge 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, Goldney Hall 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 University of Bristol 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.