Our attachment to species on the edge of extinction and the loss of everyday social rituals are some of the issues to be canvassed by UNSW academics at this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival.
Our emotional attachment to species on the edge of extinction and the loss of everyday social rituals are some of the issues to be canvassed by UNSW academics at this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival.
The iconic festival – which runs from 19-25 May – is Australia’s largest annual celebration of literature and ideas, showcasing the world’s best authors and thinkers.
UNSW Arts and Social Sciences has been a major partner of the Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF) for the past three years, and was the first university to partner with the literary event in 2010.
Artistic Director Jemma Birrell said the Festival is proud to have the continuing support of UNSW as it enhances the Festival’s reputation on the world stage.
“The quality and diversity within Arts and Social Sciences at UNSW has formed the perfect basis for a partnership with Sydney Writers' Festival – one focused on the exploration of pertinent themes, groundbreaking research and a community forum of engaging discussion,” she said.
UNSW will host two international guest authors. Award-winning investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill will discuss his book Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield in conversation with Australian journalist Chris Masters. Irish novelist Eimear McBride will discuss her debut novel A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing in conversation with UNSW Professor of Irish Studies Rónán McDonald.
Environmental Humanities lecturers Dr Thom Van Dooran and Dr Eben Kirksey will talk about our emotional attachment to species on the edge of extinction in the panel event Waves of Extinction with UNSW Adjunct Professor Deborah Bird Rose and Professor Mary Zournazi from the School of Arts and Social Sciences will discuss loss of social time in the Curiosity Lecture Series: On the Loss of Sunday.
Arts and Social Sciences Dean Professor James Donald said the partnership with the Festival is a natural extension of the Faculty’s activities in creative writing and literature.
“The Festival offers an exceptional opportunity for students and staff to engage with contemporary and traditional literary movements,” he said.
UNSW Adjunct Professor, alumnus and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Bob Carr will launch his book Diary of a Foreign Minister, published by NewSouth Publishing. Alumnus, social researcher and writer Dr Rebecca Huntley will also take part in the Festival.
For more information on UNSW's involvement in the SWF click here
Media contact: Fran Strachan, UNSW Media Office, 9385 8732, 0429 416 070