25 September 2012

International line-up of speakers for series

Respected academics from the UK, Ireland and the United States will deliver a programme of events organised by the University of Dundee's Arts & Humanities Research Institute (AHRI).

History, philosophy, economics, and literature are among the disciplines to be covered during the AHRI Lecture and Seminar Series 2012/13, which will showcase the range of groundbreaking humanities research taking place across the country.

The series will begin on Wednesday, 26th September when Professor Geoffrey Hosking, of University College London, leads a seminar entitled, 'Trust and Distrust: Historical Reflections on the Current Economic Crisis'.

A further four lectures and seminars will take place before Christmas, with the second half of the series commencing in January. Questions pondered will include the competency of Stalin's generals, the place of photography in cultural memory, and whether state violence can ever be justified.

The AHRI is based within the School of Humanities at Dundee, and serves as a forum for research across the School's principal disciplines of English literature and creative writing, history, philosophy and aesthetics. Academics from Dundee will deliver the lecture programme, alongside colleagues from institutions across the UK and other countries.

Professor David Finkelstein, Dean of the School of Humanities, said, "As part of our commitment to public engagement, we have developed a programme of lectures and seminars open to the public. At these events invited speakers, staff and students will speak and discuss some of the biggest issues arising from contemporary humanities research.

"It is vital that the School of Humanities shares its research with the communities that support us, whether they be academics we cooperate with, schools and colleges we recruit from, or interest groups with which we share common concerns.

"We hope as many people as possible with an interest in the Humanities will attend this series of exciting events, which will demonstrate the breadth, vibrancy and relevance of the Humanities and show why they play an essential role in our cultural, social and economic life."

Other events in the first half of the AHRI Lecture Series 2011/12 are:

• Tuesday, 9th October - Professor Geoffrey Roberts (University College Cork) 'Marshal Georgy Zhukov: Russian Hero or Stalin's Stooge?' (Lecture)
• Wednesday, 24th October - Professor Alan Cromartie (University of Reading) 'Litigation, Self-preservation, Civilisation: Three Ways to Understand State Violence' (Seminar)
• Tuesday, 20th November - Professor Michelle Bogre (Parsons The New School of Design, New York) 'Activism Photography and the Construction of Public Memory' (Lecture)
• Wednesday, 12th December - Professor Willy Maley (University of Glasgow) 'Othello and the Irish Question' (Seminar)

All members of University staff and students, and interested members of the public are warmly invited to attend. More information is available at the AHRI web page

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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