Join us for a live showcase event in a special edition of Poetry@JHG presenting the final works of poetry created by research scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and postgraduate students at the University of Southampton.
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In partnership with John Hansard Gallery, the Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities, and the Public Engagement with Research unit research scientists, post-doctoral researchers and postgraduate students working across a range of science disciplines and in multidisciplinary contexts at the University of Southampton were invited to take part in an ambitious pilot project bringing together science and poetry.
Poetic Science aims to foster an environment of multidisciplinarity, supporting postgraduate students, post-docs, and researchers in the sciences to develop creative engagement and creative communication techniques about their research through poetry.
Working with the Poetic Science Creative Writer, Helen Eastman, participants accessed sessions developing skills in poetry and live performance. Completed works by the cohort and Helen Eastman, are being showcased for the first time at this special Poetry@JHG live public event, during the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF).
The event will be opened by Professor Nicky Marsh, Associate Dean for Research and Enterprise for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities’, words from Professor Rachel Mills, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences featuring the newly created poems by cohort members: Dr. Sadie Jones, Professor Jeremy Frey, Professor Jim Anderson, Dr. Nihkil Mistry, PhD researcher Jonathan James with a closing reflective poem and remarks by Dr. Helen Eastman.
About Poetry@JHG
Poetry@JHG was first established in 2013, which started off as an idea for the completion of a Gold Arts Award project and evolved into a larger program of creative writing within, around, and supporting visuals arts visitor engagement.
A key element for all Poetry@JHG events is in engaging participating poets to respond to themes within relevant exhibitions which culminate in live events in the gallery space so that audiences are surrounded by the artworks and the spoken word simultaneously. This experience facilitates discussions about the work that a traditional setting may not. Poetry@JHG has led to further gallery active engagement with creative writing programs, organisations, and events in Southampton such as SO:Write events and Writer in Residence opportunities. Entropics events and wider Hands-on Humanities Festivals.
John Hansard Gallery is part of the University of Southampton, and one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries. The gallery supports develops and presents great art by outstanding artists from across the world, and are proud to play a dynamic role in the cultural life of Southampton and the region
The Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities brings together the specialisms of Archaeology, English, Film Studies, History, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, and the Academic Centre for International Students. It is also the home of the Winchester School of Art, one of the UK’s leading art and design institutions with a long tradition of creative education and excellence.
With special thanks to the Poetic Science Advisory Panel at the English Department, University of Southampton:
Professor Peter Middleton (Emeritus Professor of English, University of Southampton)
Dr. Will May (Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary Literature, University of Southampton)
Dr. Ronda Gowland-Pryde (Senior Engagement Fellow / Civic University Lead, Public Engagement with Research unit)
Lynne Dick (John Hansard Gallery, Head of Programming – Engagement & Learning)
Hannah Collins (John Hansard Gallery, Bookshop/Duty Manager)
Dianna Djokey (John Hansard Gallery, Communities Curator)
PERu
As a signatory to the NCCPE’s Manifesto for Public Engagement, the University is committed to sharing knowledge, resources, and skills with the public, and to listening to and learning from the expertise and insight of the different communities with which we engage.
The Public Engagement with Research unit (PERu) exists to inspire and support high-quality public engagement with research across all disciplines at the University of Southampton.