Wednesday 25 July 2012

Conference: Emblems of Nationhood

Emblems of Nationhood: Britishness1707–1901 is a multi-disciplinary and truly international conference co-organised by postgraduate students from the Schools of Art History and Modern Languages, and recently graduated students from the School of English. It takes place between the 10th and 12th August in Schools 1–3, United Colleges Quadrangle.

Courtesy of the Lewis Walpole Library.
National identity is a central point of enquiry that is repeatedly called upon in contemporary social and political rhetoric. Our conference will address the roots of this theme by discussing depictions of Britain and Britishness in literature, philosophy, history, and art between the Act of Union in 1707 and the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. Over the course of this multidisciplinary conference, we aim to explore how expressions of nationalism have moulded both critical perspectives on national identity and their creative products.

In addition to our key speakers — Prof. Colin Kidd (Queen’s University Belfast), Dr Emma Major (University of York), Prof. Linda Colley (Princeton University), and Prof. Calum Colvin (University of Dundee) — we have attracted 65 speakers from around the world who will deliver papers discussing Britishness. The conference is also accompanied by an exhibition of artwork which is currently on display in the reception of Art History.

We have attracted significant funding from the following sources: the Paul MellonCentre for Studies in British Art, the Russell Trust, The University of the Highlands and the Islands, Capod, the Schools of Art History, History, English, and Modern Languages, the Scottish Society for Art History, the Society for French Studies, and the Royal Historical Society.