The Thomas Hardy Society

Society Conference

The 20^th International THOMAS HARDY Conference & Festival

Dorchester 18^th – 26^th August 2012

Name

Leading Hardy Scholars, Poetry Readings, Lectures, Seminars.
Receptions, Suppers, Tastings, New Writing from Wessex, Quiz.
Guided Walks, Coach Tours, Drama, Dance and Musical Performances.
Book Launches, Exhibitions, Antiquarian Book Fair, Awards.

The 2012 International Thomas Hardy Conference will mark the 172^nd anniversary of the birth of Thomas Hardy and take place from 18^th - 26th August : a little later than in previous years in order to avoid the Olympic Games. Like its predecessors it will be designed to appeal both to Hardy scholars and to the lay readers who attend in large numbers.

Distinguished scholars both in this country and abroad will give the academic side of the programme. Their subjects will include: Thomas Hardy and the law; Hardy and Tennyson; Hardy aestheticism and the visual arts; Hardy the poet and Hardy the letter-writer as well as a lively and provocative debate on the definitive edition of Hardy’s novels. A full programme of seminars, and a General Reader session, will complement the lectures and the extremely successful Postgraduate Symposium will showcase the best of up and coming scholarship in the field of Hardy studies.

Click to download the 2012 Conference Booking form

Confirmed Lecturers include:

Tim Dolin, Professor of Communication and Cultural Studies, Curtin University, Sydney
Simon Gatrell,Professor of Victorian Studies at the University of Georgia
Michael Irwin, Professor Emeritus of English, the University of Kent & former Chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society
Dr Neil Sargeant, Associate Professor of Law at Carleton University, Ottawa
Marion Shaw, Professor Emeritus of English, the University of Loughborough
Posy Simmonds giving an illustrated talk on Tamara Drewe
Professor Neil Sinyard, Professor Emeritus of Film Studies, University of Hull
Dr Jane Thomas, Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Hull & academic director of the Thomas Hardy Conference
Herbert Tucker, Professor of Nineteenth-Century British Literature, the University of Virginia
Keith Wilson, Professor of English, University of Ottawa

Poets booked for the Festival include:

Roger McGough

'the patron saint of poetry' (Carol Ann Duffy)

His poetry is like a supermodel who can complete a Sudoku puzzle moments before swishing down the catwalk --- easy on the eye and smart as a whip.' (Lorne Jackson, Birmingham Daily Post)
www.rogermcgough.org.uk

Sean Street - Dorset poet, teacher & broadcaster

He is in the great tradition of Hardy, Thomas and Larkin, and he uses their skills and taut control of word and line and image. (James Gibson)
www.seanstreet.com

Entertainments:

Tim Laycock and the New Scorpion Band
Excerpts from the d'Erlanger Tess Opera with Barry Ferguson and company
A Barn Dance with Ruth and Colin Thompson
A Hardy song cycle with Pam Waddington Muse (Mezzo-soprano) & Peter Sproston (Pianist)
La Nova Singers
A recital by Philip Lange, relating to the Poems of 1912-13
A Cider Tasting
A Hardy Quiz

& much more besides.....

There will be ample opportunity to join in discussions with morning Lectures and afternoon Seminars

CALL FOR PAPERS

20th International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival, Dorchester, UK, 18-26 August 2012

We are soliciting papers from Hardy scholars around the world for the Twentieth International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival which will take place in Dorchester, UK from 18-26th August, 2012. Proposals should take the form of an abstract not exceeding 250 words max for papers of 20 minutes duration. These will be delivered in chaired parallel sessions throughout the week as part of the academic program of lectures, seminars, talks and the postgraduate symposium. Proposals may address any aspect of Hardy’s life, work and thought but we are particularly keen to encourage papers focusing on the following areas:

Hardy and Genre (particularly the short story).

Hardy and the Visual and/or Plastic Arts.

Hardy and Intertextuality.

Hardy and Cultural Heritage.

Wessex and the wider world.

Hardy and international politics.

International responses to the work of Thomas Hardy

Hardy’s influence on poets, writers and musicians (including popular musicians) in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Proposals should be addressed to:

‘Call for Papers’ – ( The Thomas Hardy Society) Dr. Jane Thomas, Department of English University of Hull, East Yorkshire HU6 7RX

Email: j.e.thomas@hull.ac.uk

All submissions will be read and adjudicated by an academic panel.

The closing date is 31st March 2012.

The best of the papers given at the Conference will be eligible for publication in the peer-reviewed Thomas Hardy Journal appearing in Autumn 2012. Conference delegates contributing to the panels will be required to register for the Conference and Festival (‘Day Rates’ can be negotiated) and will be responsible for finding their own accommodation, which they are advised to do as soon as possible as accommodation is likely to be scarce in August in view of the Sailing Olympics.

A small contingency fund is available to assist accepted speakers who are not affiliated to an Institute of Higher Education or who might require financial assistance to attend the Conference and Festival. Decisions will be made by the adjudicating panel on a case by case basis.

The Hardy Conference and Festival is designed to appeal both to Hardy Scholars and also to lay readers who attend in large numbers. The academic sessions will be supplemented by a variety of excursions and entertainments relating to the local context which Hardy’s work celebrated, and from which it emerged.

Confirmed Keynote speakers include:

Herbert Tucker (Professor of Nineteenth-Century British Literature, the University of Virginia)

Marion Shaw (Professor Emeritus of English, the University of Loughborough)

Dr Neil Sargent (Associate Professor of Law at Carleton University, Ottawa)

Professor Tim Dolin (Professor of Communication and Cultural Studies, Curtin University, Sydney)

Professor Simon Gatrell (Professor of Victorian Studies at the University of Georgia)

Professor Mike Irwin (Professor Emeritus of English, the University of Kent )

Professor Neil Sinyard (Professor Emeritus of Film Studies, University of Hull)

Professor Keith Wilson (Professor of English, University of Ottawa)

POSTGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM

Call for Papers

Fourth International Postgraduate Symposium on Thomas Hardy, at the 20th International Thomas Hardy Conference & Festival, Dorchester, UK, 18-26 August 2012

Proposals are invited for papers on any aspect of the life, work and thought of Thomas Hardy for the fourth International Postgraduate Symposium on Hardy which will take place in Dorchester, 18-26 August 2012, as part of the 20th International Thomas Hardy Conference & Festival.

Decisions will be made by the Symposium Convenors Professor Roger Ebbatson, Lancaster University, and Dr Angelique Richardson, University of Exeter. Proposals of 250 words (max) for papers of 15-minute duration should be sent to hardy-pgs@exeter.ac.uk by 31 March 2012.

A small bursary will be offered to successful applicants to assist with the cost of attending the conference, and conference fees will be waived. Reduced rates will be offered to postgraduates wishing to attend the conference but not giving papers. This is a unique opportunity to share and debate ideas on Hardy with other new and established scholars. A selection of these papers will be published in the peer-reviewed Thomas Hardy Journal. All attending postgraduates will be expected to join the Thomas Hardy Society at a reduced subscription rate.

Conference delegates (including speakers) are responsible for finding their own accommodation and are advised to do so as soon as possible as accommodation is likely to be scarce in August in view of the Sailing Olympics (29th July to 11 August). Accommodation queries can be directed to Rebecca Welshman, the Thomas Hardy Society Student Representative, University of Exeter, mailto:hardy-pgs@exeter.ac.uk hardy-pgs@exeter.ac.uk

The Frank Pinion Award

Applications are invited for this award which commemorates Dr Frank Pinion’s contribution to Thomas Hardy studies. His many publications on Hardy include A Thomas Hardy Companion, A Thomas Hardy Dictionary and One Rare Fair Woman. Dr Pinion edited the Thomas Hardy Society Review, which later became the Thomas Hardy Journal. He was a Vice-President of the Society,

Dr Pinion’s entire career was with young people; his own interest in Hardy began when he was a student: the award was founded by his students. For these reasons, it was decided to devote the Award to young people wishing to further their Thomas Hardy studies. It provides financial help to attend the Thomas Hardy Conference, enabling the winner to hear lectures by Hardy scholars and visit many Hardy locations.

The closing date is 30^th April 2012.

Award Details

The Award is linked to the Thomas Hardy Conference and is made every two years.
The award is £250 towards attendance at the Conference.
Applications are not limited to Society members.
Applicants must be aged under 35 by 18^th August 2012 (the start of the Conference).
Applications must be in writing and based on reasons for wishing to attend the conference. These may relate to an emerging strong interest in Thomas Hardy or a continuation of research on Hardy. A short CV giving relevant details – your date of birth and your interest in Hardy – should be included.
Applications will be judged by a panel drawn from members of the Sheffield Branch of the Thomas Hardy Society. Their decision is final.
The winner will be notified by mid-June, and the Award presented at the Conference.
Applications, marked clearly The Frank Pinion Award, should be emailed to: info@hardysociety.org
or posted to:
The Thomas Hardy Society
c/o Dorset County Museum
High West Street
Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XA
by 30^th April 2012.

BURSARY FOR BIENNIAL CONFERENCE August 2012

As an Educational Charity the Thomas Hardy Society promotes knowledge and appreciation of the works of Thomas Hardy both nationally and internationally; the Society encourages study at school and university level and provides members of the Society with the opportunities for fellowship.

To this end, the biennial conferences are an important element, offering a wide-ranging programme of lectures and seminars, dramatic interpretations, musical events and poetry readings.

The Society is keen to welcome members from as many parts of the world as possible. In past years we have been privileged to have delegates from as many as seventeen different countries. It is sometimes the case, however, that people who are involved in Hardy studies, either as students or teachers, are unable to attend because of the cost involved. The Society has limited funds available that might enable us to make a contribution towards costs in a few cases.

Those who find themselves in this situation are invited to write stating their circumstances, the nature of their interest in Hardy, and their needs in terms of being able to attend this year’s conference in Dorchester (18^th -26^th August 2012) including specific details of travel expenses etc. Letters for consideration should arrive at the Hardy Society’s office by 31st December 2011 addressed to the Secretary.