English, theatre and creative writing research

English, theatre and creative writing at Birkbeck is first in London and second nationally for its 100% four star research environment and impact in REF2021, the national research excellence framework.

Our researchers look back to the Middle Ages and forward to the future. From local to global, our research is transforming cultural study, criticism and creative practice.

Our work bridges creative writing, cultural history, literary studies and theatre studies. We have particular strengths in archival literary and historical study, critical ‘race’ studies and work with displaced people, digital publishing and editing; gender and sexuality studies; material and visual cultures; medical humanities; performance studies and theatre directing; science fiction and science writing; and creative writing in all genres. We are home to the pioneering open-access journal 19: Interdisciplinary Studies in the Long Nineteenth Century, the Open Library of the Humanities, and the digital Creative Writing Hub, MIROnline.

We support one of the largest postgraduate communities in the country, with a portfolio of specialist MAs, MFAs, and an MPhil/PhD programme. Postgraduate study is energised by innovative doctoral training events and courses and internship opportunities. Our purpose-built facilities include the Peltz Gallery, Birkbeck Cinema, and a theatre and performance space.

Sample, participate and find out more at our free annual arts festival Arts Week that runs every spring.

Congratulations: outstanding REF2021 result

2nd nationally, world-leading: 100% environment, 100% impact, 72% of all research activity rated 4*.

Research centres and institutes

Birkbeck Gender and Sexuality

We facilitate innovative interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange in gender and sexuality studies.

The Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities

We engage with important public issues to foster and promote a climate of interdisciplinary research and collaboration among academics and researchers.

Birkbeck Institute for Social Research

BISR fosters research on social, psychosocial and feminist theory and methods, social movements and citizenship, subjectivity and intimacy, and the role of place and nation.

Centre for Contemporary Literature

We provide a meeting place for academic staff, creative writers and graduate students to discuss a range of contemporary writers.

Centre for Contemporary Theatre

We foster a critical and creative culture in which artists can develop their practice.

Centre for Medical Humanities

We foster interdisciplinary dialogue between scholars and practitioners reflecting on historical, current and emerging questions in medical humanities research.

Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Worlds

An interdisciplinary forum for the study of medieval and early modern cultures.

Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies

We foster world-leading research into the long nineteenth century (c 1789-1914) through innovative collaborations, conferences, seminars and exhibitions.

Contemporary Poetics Research Centre

We provide a forum for the study and performance of contemporary poetries, and research into their historical, political and theoretical contexts.

Eighteenth-century research group

We bring together multidisciplinary researchers working with a wide variety of media to explore a European, transatlantic and global eighteenth century.

OPEN ACCESS PUBLICATIONS

The Open Library of Humanities

We support academic journals from across the humanities disciplines, as well as hosting its own multidisciplinary journal.

19: Interdisciplinary Studies in the Long Nineteenth Century

Our peer-reviewed online journal, a pioneer in the open access movement.

MIROnline

We bring together multidisciplinary researchers working with a wide variety of media to explore a European, transatlantic and global eighteenth century.

STAFF RESEARCH PROJECTS AND BOOKS

Recent staff research projects include: Dorothy Richardson Project; Experimenting in the Galleries; Stories in Transit; The Book Unbound; Animate Assembly; Conceiving Histories; A Violent World of Difference.

The newest books from our staff include: Settlements and Strongholds in Early Medieval Britain; Modernism and Physical Illness: Sick Books; Radical Attention; Jonathan Lethem and the Galaxy of Writing; Tomorrow Sex Will be Good Again.

OUR CULTURAL PARTNERS AND NETWORKS

We have formed a number of key collaborations and partnerships to support our research.

Key partners that we have worked with recently are the ICA, National Gallery, Wellcome Collection and Camden People's Theatre.

We have also networked with CHASE, Bloomsbury Colleges Group, Open Society University Network and The University of London/School of Advanced Study.

INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS

Our staff

Find out about staff and their areas of specialism.

News

Read news about research breakthroughs and funding announcements.

Research Impact

Birkbeck's research excellence was confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), with 85% of our impact case studies ranked in the world leading or internationally excellent categories.

Become an MPhil/PhD student

Find out more about becoming a research student in the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication.

Research office support for Birkbeck staff

Expert guidance and support for Birkbeck's diverse community of researchers, at all levels and career stages.

Free events

We offer free events throughout the year, where you can find out about our research and meet our staff.

Publications

School staff publish widely in respected journals across the disciplines.