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

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
Entrance to the department

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

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News

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.
Group picture taken at Blackburn Museum shows Pupils from St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy, Blackburn, who took part in the iconography workshop organised by Dr Azelina Flint, of Lancaster University (back right) and led by visiting artists Patricia Ballard and Ana Maria Silva from the Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild, Vancouver.

Pupils learn the ancient art of iconography with Canadian experts

The Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery provided a special backdrop for pupils to learn about Christianity’s most ancient sacred artform in an initiative funded by Lancaster University.
Poster for the performance at the Shire Hall with dates and a dramatic silhouette of Henry on a background of orange, grey and yellow

Shire Hall provides ‘a kingdom for a stage’ for Henry V

An innovative production of Shakespeare brings together Lancaster University, professional theatre practitioners from the North West and volunteers from Lancaster and Morecambe, at Lancaster Castle next month.

Left: The cover of Calypso, a new science fiction verse novel by Dr Oliver K. Langmead, out now. Right: Dr Oliver K. Langmead, a Creative Writing Lecturer at Lancaster University.

A brave new world aboard the Calypso puts lecturer in the spotlight

Research into contemporary human space flight, which also included interviews with astronauts, has resulted in a new novel, already receiving national media attention, for a Lancaster University lecturer.
Caroline Lucas and her new book, Another England

Green MP will give Lancaster Environment Lecture

Leading environmental campaigner and Britain’s first and only Green MP Caroline Lucas is all set to deliver the 2024 Lancaster Environment Lecture at Lancaster University.  

More News

Events

17th Oct

King Lear's Mute -- a spoken-word performance

Thursday 17 October 2024, 7:30pm to 8:30pm
23rd Oct

Annual Priory Literature & Religion Lecture - a "welcome" event

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 7:30pm to 8:30pm
2nd Nov

Castle Open Theology Seminar

Saturday 2 November 2024, 2:00pm to 4:30pm
14th Nov

Wordsworth, Romanticism, and The Lakes - A Day in Grasmere

Thursday 14 November 2024, 9:00am to 5:00pm
11th Dec

Ezra Pound’s Malatesta Cantos and the Renaissance Recovery of Paganism -- Miguel Vatter (New South Wales)

Wednesday 11 December 2024, 5:00pm to 6:00pm

More Events

Athena Swan Action Plan 2019.

Download Athena Swan Action Plan