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English at Sunderland is characterised by a high level of collaborative activity and is at the forefront of developments in using the subject to enhance and inform the wider community. Research in English at the University of Sunderland focuses on creativity in writing, and the professional application of this in real-world contexts.
Based in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries, the English team has generated innovative practices in relation to de-colonising the curriculum, along with research in gender in language and literature, regional dialect, Anglo-Saxon literature, and environmental writing. The English team has developed a strong research base in the areas of factual creative writing, politeness theory, gender, regional cultural history, Gothic, contemporary British and American fictions, Old English literature, critical animal studies and eco-writing. The English team staff also contribute to the Humanities research culture in relation to local history, and the University’s Gender Studies network (SunGen) is led by members of the team.
Academics and students in English belong to a vibrant research culture, where the Spectral Visions initiative holds regular events, both public and within the university, and runs the Spectral Visions Press. Academics and students, both past and present, are involved with SunGen, and have contributed to recent publications. Dr Michael Pearce edits the online student journal, Codex, which features a selection of the best undergraduate dissertations since 2013.
The Seagull City project has been running in 2016 and explores Sunderland’s literary and cultural history, involving research by staff and input from students and the local community. It is a resource for creative writes, and has been used to inform the city council’s response to Black Lives Matter in 2020.
The English team have close links with Sunderland City Council and co-run the annual Sunderland Literature Festival. The bi-annual Creative Writing Festival is also co-run by academics in the team.
Dr Alex Lockwood’s research and activities relating to veganism is drawn on nationally to inform and support organisations such as the British Vegan Society and Animal Rebellion. He is a member of the Vegan Society Research Advisory Committee, and a consultant for the Animal Think Tank. Lockwood is also a founding editor of the Journal of Class and Culture.
Professor Angela Smith co-edits the Bloomsbury International Library of Gender in Popular Culture, and is co-convenor of the Ross Priory Broadcast Talk Seminar Group.
Academics in English are involved in both practice-led forms of research and theoretical forms of research, producing books and journal articles. The individual pages of English team members contain their research interests and lists of major publications and outputs. Our commitment to the interrelation of robust practices, creative reflection and critical thought flourishes throughout our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.