The Centre for Research in Children's Literature at Cambridge has hosted many events, guest speakers, projects, and open seminars over the years. Please enjoy a selection of the events that the local and global children's literature community has taken part in here.
2017
A Bug's Life: Creeping and Crawling through Children's Literature
The one-day symposium was held by the CRCLC on November 4, 2017. It featured a keynote from Professor Sarah Annes Brown from Anglia Ruskin University and a guest appearance from Maya Leonard, the author of Carnegie-nominated Beetle Boy.
University of Cambridge Postgraduate Open Day
The CRCLC joined the Faculty of Education for the university's Postgraduate Open Day on Friday, November 3, 2017. After talks by current students and the Faculty of Education, the CRCLC had a separate session with presentations and time to meet the staff and students in the research group.
10th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
Celebrated multi-award-winning illustrator and political cartoonist Chris Riddell delivered the 10th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture at the CRCLC on September 8, 2017.
3rd Cambridge Symposium on Cognitive Approaches to Children's Literature
The CRCLC hosted the symposium on March 17 and 18, 2017, with keynotes delivered by Professor Karen Coats from Illinois State University and Professor Rosalind Ridley from the University of Cambridge.
2016
University of Cambridge Postgraduate Open Day
The CRCLC joined the University Postgraduate Open Day on Wednesday, November 2. Student ambassadors talked to prospective scholars in the Faculty of Education. There was also an opportunity to sit in on a Master's lecture and meet the Critical Approaches to Children's Literature staff for an introduction to the Master's course.
Mildred Taylor Symposium
The CRCLC hosted a two-day symposium celebrating the 40th anniversary of Mildred Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry on September 23 and 24, with the keynote delivered by Professor Michelle Martin from the University of Washington.
9th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
Best-selling author Allan Ahlberg delivered the 9th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture on September 1.
Horse Tales: Writing the Equine in Children's Literature
The one-day conference was held by the CRCLC at Homerton College on May 21. Invited speakers included celebrated and prolific writers of equine fiction K.M Peyton, Meg Rosoff, Jane Badger, and Susanna Forrest.
Focus on American Children's Literature
The one-day, mini-symposium took place at Homerton College on April 26. Professor Jerry Griswold was the keynote speaker.
37th International Conference of the International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts (IAFA)
CRCLC students Jen Aggleton, Meghanne Flynn, Katy Day, and Siddharth Pandey joined lecturer Dr. Zoe Jaques to present papers at the 37th International Conference of IAFA in Orlando, Florida in late March. More on their experience can be found at the Children's Literature at Cambridge blog.
Second Cambridge Symposium on Cognitive Approaches to Children's Literature
The CRCLC hosted the symposium at Homerton College in early March. Professor Peter Stockwell from the University of Nottingham delivered the keynote.
2015
Established and new researchers and writers in children's literature who presented their work at the CRCLC in 2015-2016 included Dr. Laura Little (Bath Spa University), Eve Tandoi (Cambridge), Professor Kimberley Reynolds (Newcastle University), Professor Karen Sands-O-Connor (Newcastle University), Aidan Chambers, Malin Alkestrand (Lund University).
6th annual CRCLC Open Day
The 6th annual CRCLC Open Day was held on Saturday, November 14. Award-winning children's book author and illustrator Mini Grey was the guest speaker.
Wonderland at Homerton College: The 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland
From September 15-19, the CRCLC celebrated the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland with the UK's largest celebration of its kind. The week of celebrations included the three-day, international conference Alice Through the Ages, a 'Mad Tea Party' gala, a 'Wonderland in the Classroom' workshop for teachers, and many other attractions. Keynote speakers for the conference included Professor Dame Gillian Beer (University of Cambridge), Professor Jan Susina (University of Illinois), and Dr. Kiera Vaclavik (Queen Mary, University of London). Read more about the celebration at Homerton College.
8th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
Celebrated writer Meg Rosoff delivered the 8th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture on September 10.
2014
5th annual CRCLC Open Day
The 5th annual CRCLC Open Day was held on Saturday, November 22. Dave Shelton, author of Good Dog, Bad Dog and A Boy and a Bear in a Boat was the guest speaker.
7th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
The 2014 lecture was given by award-winning children's novelist and screenplay writer Frank Cottrell Boyce on September 11.
The Poetry and Memory Project
This interdisciplinary research project investigating the experience and value of memorised poetry began in 2014 and was led by senior lecturer David Whitley and fellow researcher Debbie Pullinger. More information can be found at the Poetry and Memory Project.
2013
Fourth annual CRCLC Open Day
The fourth annual CRCLC Open Day was held on Saturday, October 26. It included a talk by Marcus Sedgwick, author of the Elf Girl and Raven Boy books; talks from current staff, PhD students, and Masters students; an exhibition of the publications, activities, and associated awards in the CRCLC; and, a poster session showcasing current research projects.
6th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
Poet and prize-winning author Kevin Crossley-Holland gave the 2013 Philippa Pearce Lecture on September 5.
2012
Third annual CRCLC Open Day
The third annual CRCLC Open Day was held on Saturday, November 10. Visitors enjoyed tea and cake while learning about research in children's literature, the work of the Centre, and opportunities for study. Mal Peet, author of Tamar and Life: An Exploded Diagram, was the special guest speaker.
5th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
The 2012 lecture was delivered by award winning author Malorie Blackman.
The Eighth International Child and the Book Conference
The CRCLC hosted the eighth international Child and the Book conference, Towards Common Ground: Philosophical Approaches to Children's Literature at the Faculty of Education March 30 to April 1, 2012. Keynote were given by Dr. Lisa Sainsbury and Dr. Nigel Warburton. More information can be found here.
2011
Second Cambridge-Homerton Research and Teaching Centre for Children's Literature Centre Open Day
On Saturday, 5th November, the second CRCLC Open Day attracted another large crowd of visitors, and a great deal of interest in our full-time and part-time Masters and PhD programmes. After tea and the now-traditional themed cupcakes, local author Adele Geras rounded off the afternoon with an inspiring talk about the similarities between writing children's books and cooking.
4th Annual Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture
The 2011 lecture was delivered by distinguished writer Philip Pullman.
First Cambridge-Homerton Research and Teaching Centre for Children's Literature Centre Open Day
The first CRCLC Open Day was held on May 12. Over tea and children's-literature-themed cupcakes, more than a hundred visitors had the opportunity to browse an extensive exhibition on Children's Literature and the work of Centre. Both the expressions of appreciation and applications to courses confirmed that the day was a huge success.
