BGU Monster Conference Draws International Delegates for a Weekend of Fear and Excitement

Inspired by discussions surrounding the bicentenary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the interdisciplinary Monster Conference has grown out of the work of the Interest Group for Literature and Literacy (which was founded in the autumn of 2017).

Over three days international speakers delivered lectures, presented papers and led panels on monsters in society, education, literature and history; all of which created opportunities for diverse conversation within the mixed group of delegates. Cultural and literary historians, psychologists, counsellors, artists and researchers explored the fear and excitement triggered by the monstrous with fellow literary and education scholars.

Dr Sibylle Earle, Reader in English Literature at BGU and one of the main organisers, praised the conference for the positive impact it had had on the University:

“It was an important research conference for BGU because it had a huge staff contingent. That level of engagement not only encouraged fascinating conversion, it also allowed us to meet some of the University’s new, rising stars. This has been a wonderful and exciting opportunity for all involved.”

Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall, Senior Lecturer in History at BGU, discussed the amazing opportunities that attending the conference had offered her:

“It was a great opportunity for me and my fellow panel members to share our research at an interdisciplinary conference. The cross-disciplinary discussions that followed all papers/panels were both supportive and rich in sharing different approaches and observations. All in all, it was a great success.”

The conference continues on the 31^st of October with a live reading of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with more activities set to follow. You can keep up to date with the Monster Conference and all the exciting events taking place at BGU on our website.