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# Episode Title Description People Date
1 Creative Commons Emma Smith interviews Shahnaz Ahsan Shahnaz Ahsan is Emma's guest to discuss her debut novel, Hashim & Family. They talk about Bangladesh, about the personal and the political, and about the classroom experience that has seared itself into her fiction. Emma Smith, Shahnaz Ahsan 17 Dec 2021
2 Creative Commons Emma Smith interviews Alex Preston Emma Smith chats with Alex Preston about Hertford, his career in finance, bees, and his new historical novel Winchelsea - Emma also teases Alex about the label of Mr Nice Review in Private Eye. Emma Smith, Alex Preston 17 Dec 2021
3 Creative Commons Emma Smith interviews Louisa Reid Louisa Reid's Young Adult novels in verse have been widely praised: join Emma Smith for a discussion of the challenges and responsibilities of writing for teens, as well as Louisa's experience as a teacher. Emma Smith, Louisa Reid 30 Nov 2021
4 Creative Commons Emma Smith interviews Claire McGowan Memories, genre fiction and writing under a different pen name are all on the agenda for this podcast with Northern Irish crime author Claire McGowan (and her alter ego Eva Woods). Emma Smith, Claire McGowan 17 Nov 2021
5 Cre-AI-tivity: Blood in a Whatsapp message? This last in our trilogy explores data as the foundation of AI systems. We learn how this enables mapping individual learners' progress and benchmarking in a teaching context, but also how that data exchange raises ethical issues. Abigail Williams, Jussi Ängeslevä, Carl Schoenfeld 28 May 2021
6 Cre-AI-tivity: Hogwarts 4ever? The second in our trilogy of podcasts explores the role AI can play in story creation and development. We learn how machines can extend a fictional story world, as well as our interaction with it. Abigail Williams, Jussi Ängeslevä, Carl Schoenfeld 17 May 2021
7 Cre-AI-tivity: Make the machine work 4u First in a trilogy explores the impact of AI on story creation and reception. We learn how machines enable audiences to experience the humanity of fictional characters. Yet a ‘rhetoric of innovation’ gets in the way of understanding what is happening. Abigail Williams, Jussi Ängeslevä, Carl Schoenfeld 06 May 2021
8 Etiquette Isabel Parkinson (2015) on her debut novel, Etiquette Isabel Parkinson 27 Jan 2021
9 In At The Deep End Alex Gunz (1994, PPE) on his novel, In At The Deep End Alex Gunz 02 Oct 2020
10 Exiles From Paris Brigitte Adès (1982) on her novel, Exiles From Paris Brigitte Ades 01 Oct 2020
11 The Cry of the Lake Charlie Tyler (1993) on her debut novel, The Cry of the Lake Charlie Tyler 30 Sep 2020
12 Alan Garner A brief introduction to the British fantasy writer, Alan Garner. Felix Taylor 12 May 2020
13 Approaching Fantasy Literature A short introduction to reading and studying fantasy literature. Stuart Lee 12 May 2020
14 H. P. Lovecraft A brief introduction to the writer, H. P. Lovecraft. Stuart Lee 12 May 2020
15 Why should we read translated texts? This episode explores what we lose or gain when we read a translated book. Are we missing something by reading the English translation and not the original language version? And what can the translation process tell us about how languages work? Jane Hiddleston, Laura Lonsdale 16 Mar 2020
16 The 2019 Esmond Harmsworth Lecture in American Arts and Letters New Yorker fiction through the decades Deborah Treisman 12 Dec 2019
17 The 2019 Esmond Harmsworth Lecture in American Arts and Letters New Yorker fiction through the decades Deborah Treisman 27 Jun 2019
18 Procès, fiction, document: La reconstruction de la littérature en Europe après 1945 This paper explores the relationship between testimony and fiction in the context of transitional justice, by comparing three 1950 European literary works which use the form of interrogation, investigation, and trial. Philippe Roussin 03 Sep 2018
19 Literature and Transitional Justice After the Rwandan Genocide: Veronique Tadjo’s The Shadow of Imama This paper discusses the problems of literary memorialization and quest for truth in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide as addressed by Veronique Tadjo’s The Shadow of Imana. Brendon Nicholls 03 Sep 2018
20 Life-Writing and Female Celebrity, 4 Nov 2017 Panel 2: Female Celebrity Performance across Media and Genres Chaired by Sandra Mayer, with Mary Luckhurst, Oline Eaton and Hannah Yelin. Mary Luckhurst, Oline Eaton, Hannah Yelin 08 Jan 2018
21 Elleke Boehmer speaks to Kate McLoughlin Elleke Boehmer talks to Kate McLoughlin about her most recent novel, The Shouting in the Dark, the language of reconciliation in South Africa, and the creative potential for the work of both fiction and literary criticism. Elleke Boehmer, Kate McLoughlin 08 Dec 2017
22 Late Victorian into Modern Book at Lunchtime, Late Victorian into Modern Laura Marcus, Kirsten Shepherd-Barr, Michael Bentley, Charlotte Jones 08 Dec 2017
23 Conflict and Community: Panel-led Workshop 2 Mobilising the wide-ranging expertise of the speakers, this workshop explored questions of narrative, community and the special commemorative needs that arise in the wake of civil war and terrorism. Rachel Seiffert, Lyndsey Stonebridge, Harvey Whitehouse, Helen Small 24 Nov 2017
24 Book at Lunchtime: Arcadia A Book at Lunchtime discussion of Iain Pears' interactive novel Arcadia Elleke Boehmer, Alex Butterworth, Emily Short, Iain Pears 07 Mar 2016
25 The Lord of the Rings: Tolkien's Legacy 60 years since the publication of the series' final volume, a distinguished panel explore Tolkien's literary legacy. Elleke Boehmer, Stuart Lee, Patrick Curry, Dimitra Fimi 16 Nov 2015
26 Fiction and Other Minds Peter Garratt (Durham): ‘Mind Bloat and The Lifted Veil’ Helen Small (English/Oxford): 'On the Verification of Mental Experience'. Chaired by Ben Morgan. Peter Garratt, Ben Morgan, Helen Small 09 Nov 2015
27 The Lord of the Rings: Tolkien's Legacy 60 years since the publication of the series' final volume, a distinguished panel explore Tolkien's literary legacy Elleke Boehmer, Stuart Lee, Patrick Curry, Dimitra Fimi 09 Nov 2015
28 Callaloo Literary Lecture and Reading by Fred d'Aguiar Fred reads fiction and poems about his childhood in Guyana, remembering his father, and slavery Fred d'Aguair 24 Jul 2015
29 Fiction of Development: Narrative, Representation and Authoritative Knowledge Charlotte De Val presents her Master's thesis entitled 'Fiction of Development: Narrative, Representation and Authoritative Knowledge.' Charlotte De Val 22 Jun 2015
30 Alison Light on 'Common People' The author discusses her new book, exploring the interplay between fiction and history, the redefinition of the common, and family history Alison Light 08 Dec 2014
31 Thinking with Stories: Listening in to Women’s Voices The fourth in our lecture series for Trinity Term 2014, given in the JCR at Mansfield College by Professor Marina Warner, CBE -- Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and writer of fiction, criticism and cultural history. Marina Warner 03 Sep 2014
32 Creative Commons Men at War: What Fiction Tells Us About War Professor Christopher Coker looks at the presentation of war in fiction, focussing in particular on the different character types commonly portrayed. Christopher Coker 28 Oct 2013
33 Writing Contemporary Fiction: From Inspiration to Publication James Benmore (Kellogg), Samantha Shannon (St Anne's) and Sam Thompson (St Anne's) talk about their work as writers. Chaired by Dr Clare Morgan (Kellogg), author and Director of the Master of Studies in Creative Writing. James Benmore, Samantha Shannon, Sam Thompson, Clare Morgan 07 Oct 2013
34 Love and Sex in Victorian Fiction Victorian fiction is commonly thought of as treating love sentimentally and lacking all reference to sex. In this talk drawing on material from a book he is writing, Dr David Grylls, Fellow of Kellogg College, will contest such a view. David Grylls 04 Oct 2013
35 Creative Commons Oriental Tales and Their Influence Prof. Warner and Prof. Ballaster begin their conversation with Antoine Galland's translation into French from Arabic of the 'Alf Layla wa-Layla' as the first two volumes of 'Les Mille et Une Nuit' in the first decade of eighteenth century. Ros Ballaster, Marina Warner 26 Mar 2013
36 Creative Commons "Bright Metal on a Sullen Ground": The idea of true character in English writing and portraiture Historian Stella Tillyard delivers the fourth Weinrebe Lecture in Life-Writing and Portraiture. The talk is introduced by College President Hermione Lee. Stella Tillyard 18 Feb 2013
37 Creative Commons Popular fiction in World War One An argument for a more nuanced assessment of the popular literature consumed by the wider public during the First World War. Jane Potter 10 Dec 2012
38 Creative Commons Julian Thompson on Wilkie Collins Dr. Julian Thompson considers how Wilkie Collins's fiction was pioneering across a variety of genres, including detective fiction and gothic thrillers. Julian Thompson 15 May 2012
39 Creative Commons "Oh, you liar, you storyteller": On Fibbing, Fact and Fabulation The first Weinrebe lecture in life-writing was given by Michèle Roberts, Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. The lecture is introduced by Professor Hermione Lee. Michèle Roberts 07 Mar 2012
40 Creative Commons Where may truth lie? Fiction in memory, memory in fiction The award-winning author and memoirist Candia McWilliam attests to the edifying power of fiction and biography in the third lecture in the Weinrebe series from the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing. Candia McWilliam 20 Feb 2012
41 All About His Mother: Reading Proust's Letters The inaugural lecture of the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing was delivered by Micahel Wood, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Princeton University. He was introduced by Hermione Lee, President of Wolfson College and Director of the Centre. Michael Wood 16 Nov 2011
42 Oxford and the Crime Novel Best-selling crime fiction writer of Wire in the Blood Val McDermind talks about what makes Oxford city so alluring to crime fiction writers. Part of the 2009 Oxford Alumni Weekend. Val McDermind 12 Nov 2009
43 BODcast: P.D. James in conversation with Colin Dexter (short) Special footage celebrating the launch of Talking about Detective Fiction by PD James, the latest Bodleian Library publication. PD James is donating all royalties from the hardback edition to the Bodleian and hopes it will encourage further philanthropy. P. D. James, Colin Dexter 30 Sep 2009
44 BODcast: P.D. James in conversation with Colin Dexter (short) Special footage celebrating the launch of Talking about Detective Fiction by PD James, the latest Bodleian Library publication. PD James is donating all royalties from the hardback edition to the Bodleian and hopes it will encourage further philanthropy. P. D. James, Colin Dexter 30 Sep 2009
45 BODcast: P.D. James in conversation with Colin Dexter (long) Special footage celebrating the launch of Talking about Detective Fiction by PD James, the latest Bodleian Library publication. PD James is donating all royalties from the hardback edition to the Bodleian and hopes it will encourage further philanthropy. P. D. James, Colin Dexter 30 Sep 2009
46 BODcast: P.D. James in conversation with Colin Dexter (long) Special footage celebrating the launch of Talking about Detective Fiction by PD James, the latest Bodleian Library publication. PD James is donating all royalties from the hardback edition to the Bodleian and hopes it will encourage further philanthropy. P. D. James, Colin Dexter 30 Sep 2009