Shelf Concerns

It's that time of the year again, A level results day. In any ordinary year this is a particularly stressful time for pupils eagerly awaiting the result of months of hard work. However results day 2020 is like no other! In this episode of the English and Creative Writing podcast from the University of Northampton Dr Claire Allen is joined by two students, Esher and Dan, to discuss their experiences of receiving their results. They explore what results can really mean long-term, advice on how to get into the university and course of your choice, and  offer their thoughts on preparing for the big day and what to do if things don't go the way you expect. Good luck everyone! 

To celebrate the anniversary of Emily Bronte's birthday on the 30th July, in this episode of Shelf Concerns, Claire Allen is joined by three students from the University of Northampton, Destiny, Dan and Beth, to discuss their responses to this writer and in particular one of the most famous texts in the British literary canon, 'Wuthering Heights'. They explore the continued relevance of the novel, key themes such as race and gender, as well as the use of Gothic tropes and contemporary adaptations of her work. Continuing the theme of rivalry from the previous podcast on Austen,  we also ask 'which Bronte is best'. Listeners will be pleased to hear that the eagerly anticipated result of the listeners' poll to establish their favourite Austen Adaptation from the previous podcast (conducted via Twitter @EngNorthants) is revealed. 

The 18th July marks the anniversary of Jane Austen’s death (1775-1817). In order to commemorate this date and to celebrate her literary accomplishments, this podcast explores why Austen remains such an important figure within the world of literary studies, but also within our wider culture. In this episode of Shelf Concerns, Dr Claire Allen is joined by Dr David Simmons, Senior Lecturer in English and Screen Studies, and Meghann Hillier-Broadley, a PhD student, to discuss their favourite Austen novels, adaptations, and to ask what  contemporary society can learn from an author who died over 200 years ago.

In the second episode of 'Shelf Concerns', Dr Claire Allen is joined by Meghann Hillier-Broadley, a postgraduate student studying for her PhD in English Literature at the University of Northampton. As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, Claire and Meghann reflect on the two things many of us have been doing over the last few months; reading and walking. They discuss the history of the relationship between literature and the environment, from the Ancients, via the Romantics, to the present day. In so doing, they explore how texts with an environmental focus can help us to consider key contemporary societal concerns, such as feminism, the black lives matter movement, and climate change.  How might a consideration of literature and the environment help us imagine the world anew as we move into 'the new normal?’ Tune in to hear their response to such questions and recommendations for reading on this topic.

In this episode of Shelf Concerns we speak to students who have recently or are currently in the process of finishing their English degree at the University of Northampton. We explore what online learning is, how this works, the pros and cons, and ultimately how students found completing the final weeks of their English degree in the midst of a global pandemic. It turns out they did really well! Tune in to hear direct, first-hand accounts of their experiences.