The English Literature and Creative Writing building with the sign on the wall.

English Literature and Creative Writing

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Students gathering at the Priory
May Gathering in Lancaster Priory

Welcome, or welcome back, to the Department

Professor Mark Knight- Head of Department.

Welcome Message

Outstanding

Our research, as showcased by our publications, 96% of which is rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021), is shaped by a juxtaposition of the critical and the creative, the city of Lancaster, with its Medieval Castle and Priory, and the Lake District where we partner with Wordsworth Grasmere. We also partner with The Duke’s Theatre, Lancaster LitFest, and The Storey, Lancaster’s Victorian-build arts venue, where our students enjoy the Postgraduate Study Space.

Our Research
Tutors at a book reading
Okey Nzelu, Eoghan Walls and Elen Caldecott

Historic

Our Creative Writing programme has a long and distinguished history which dates back to 1970, meaning that, in the UK, we were there at the very beginning of the discipline. And we remain at the fore with celebrated authors as tutors and students who go on to publish their work both while with us and after.

Creative Writing at Lancaster

Global

Our students, like ourselves, come from all over the world, and we research and teach literatures, both ancient and modern, from all over the world, including French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, North American, Palestinian & Spanish.

Our global focus is led by Dr Kwasu Tembo.

International Lancaster
Dr Kwasu Tembo
Dr Kwasu Tembo
Entrance to the department

Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes

Both the University and the Department are always looking to support, encourage, and celebrate our students. Please below for details.

Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes

Literary Lancaster

The Department is not only home to many eminent authors and critics but also hosts a whole series of free literary events featuring world-leading guest writers and scholars. Some are held on campus, but many are held in Lancaster’s historic city centre – our favourite venues are the Castle, the Priory, and the Storey. For a calendar of our upcoming events, just scroll down.

Literary Lancaster

Study with us

Get Involved

News

A black and white artwork, which looks like a sculpture, of a group of nude women sitting in and around and tangled, narly tree. On the right is a colour photograph of A.K. Blakemore in front of a bright green, shiny-leaved shrub

Lancaster panel to explore gender, witchcraft and history

An opportunity to explore witchcraft accusations and trials in conversation with an award-winning author will take place in the city next month.
Big yellow rose on backdrop of autumn leaves in bright orange with the Litfest Autumn Weekend wording and dates and cameos depicting various events such as Humphry Navy notebook

University adds even more page-turners to Litfest

Lancaster University plays a key role in the city’s prestigious Litfest Extra-Long Autumn Weekend (October 18 to 25).
Image is a montage with a portrait of Sir Humphry Davy in the centre surrounded by pages from his notebooks showing his notes, calculations, poetry, artwork and doodles

New digital platform reveals thoughts and discoveries of pioneering chemist Humphry Davy

Potassium and sodium may well have been named potarchium and sodarchium, a new digital resource, led by Lancaster University, capturing the life, times and innermost thoughts of British chemist and inventor Sir Humphry Davy, reveals.
Artistic line drawing of trumpet in black and white

Lancaster University student gets to grips with King Lear and all that jazz

Enter King Lear’s fool…He’s zany and unpredictable, and not sounding too Shakespearean these days. He’s more into jazz. Here's Shakespeare’s King Lear like you’ve never seen it. 
Shows sign saying Welcome to Main Campus - large green trees behind and sprts centre to left

Miguel Vatter to come to Lancaster University as Visiting Professor

One of the world’s leading experts on religion and politics will join the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing as a Leverhulme Visiting Professor.
Group pic of winners and playreaders on a dark stage background

Lancaster Playwriting Prize 2024 - winners announced

The winners of the 2024 Lancaster Playwriting Prize, run in partnership with the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing at Lancaster University and The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster, have been announced.

More News

Events

14th Jan

Paul Muldoon Poetry Writing Workshop

Tuesday 14 January 2025, 2:00pm to 3:30pm
14th Jan

Politics and the Poetic - Paul Muldoon, Miguel Vatter, Daniel Katz and John Schad

Tuesday 14 January 2025, 7:30pm to 8:30pm
15th Jan

Daniel Katz (Warwick) -- title tbc

Wednesday 15 January 2025, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
27th Jan

The Literature & Religion Seminar -- with Joshua Rawleigh (Indiana University)

Monday 27 January 2025, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
8th Feb

Master's Castle Seminar

Saturday 8 February 2025, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

More Events

Athena Swan Action Plan 2019.

Download Athena Swan Action Plan