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# Episode Title Description People Date
1 A Revolution in Rhyme: Poetic Co-option under the Islamic Republic Guest author Dr Fatemeh Shams (Assistant Professor of Modern Persian Literature, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania) talks with Booktalk host Dr Zuzanna Olszewska (University of Oxford). Fatemeh Shams, Zuzanna Olszewska 04 Mar 2021
2 Lines by Alice Oswald It's fifty years since the publication of From the Life and Songs of the Crow (by Ted Hughes). This is a lecture about lines and other sound barriers and how Crow flies straight through them. Alice Oswald 01 Mar 2021
3 Child abuse and dancing boys in Afghanistan Piotr Schulkes, Rose Johnson, and Max Randall dive into the phenomenon of the Dancing Boys of Afghanistan. Piotr Schulkes, Rose Johnson, Max Randall 03 Dec 2020
4 Verse and Prose in Fantasy Literature An analysis of two forms that dominate fantasy literature. Katherine Olley 24 Nov 2020
5 Live Event: Voices from the Wings: Poetry, Performance and Translation on and off the page TORCH Goes Digital! presents a series of weekly live events Big Tent - Live Events! Translation Week Part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, one of the founding stones for the future Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Ulrike Almut Sandig, Karen Leeder 13 Oct 2020
6 Series Two Episode Five: Fairy and Other Transformations Carolyne Larrington and Fay Hield discuss the theme of transformation through fairy or other kinds of magic. Carolyne Larrington, Fay Hield, Lucy Farrell, Inge Thomson 22 Sep 2020
7 Series Two Episode Four: Fairies and the Environment Carolyne Larrington and Fay Hield talk about a new theme that emerged in the ‘Modern Fairies’ project, fairies as guardians of the environment. Carolyne Larrington, Fay Hield, Ben Nicholls, Inge Thomson 22 Sep 2020
8 Series Two Episode Three: Fairies and Children Carolyne Larrington and Fay Hield uncover the works inspired by the strange tale of the Green Children and the changeling legend. Carolyne Larrington, Fay Hield, Terri Windling, Brian McMahon 22 Sep 2020
9 Interview with Water This is the first ever online lecture by a Professor of Poetry at Oxford. In the lecture, Alice Oswald explores the strange connection between water and grief. Alice Oswald 08 Jul 2020
10 Creative Commons Why do we need people to translate when we have machine translation? Some people ask why they should bother learning a language when there are online apps and websites which can translate quickly and accurately. Matthew Reynolds, Eleni Philippou, Yousif M. Qasmiyeh, Adriana X Jacobs 01 May 2020
11 Patience Agbabi reading and conversation: podcast In this podcast the dynamic poet Patience Agbabi is in conversation about her Ted Hughes short-listed collection Telling Tales (2015), a rebellious reworking of Chaucer, and her contribution to the 2016 Refugee Tales project. Patience Agbabi, Elleke Boehmer, Marion Turner 14 Jan 2020
12 The 2019 Esmond Harmsworth Lecture in American Arts and Letters New Yorker fiction through the decades Deborah Treisman 12 Dec 2019
13 The Art of Erosion Inaugural Lecture of Alice Oswald, Professor of Poetry, held at the University of Oxford Exam Schools. Alice Oswald 09 Dec 2019
14 Spoken memoir of Professor Jon Stallworthy A speech given by Sir Richard Sorabji at the launch party for the Jon Stallworthy Poetry Prize Campaign. Richard Sorabji 21 Nov 2019
15 Polish Literature Dr Kasia Szymanska gives a highlight overview of Polish literature from the Middle Ages to the present. Kasia Szymanska 19 Nov 2019
16 ‘Arriving before us’: seeing, ingenuity and imagination in Dante: Simon Gilson's Inaugural lecture During his inaugural lecture, Professor Gilson will show how ideas about vision and cognate faculties such as the wits and the imagination are central to Dante’s masterpiece, the Commedia. Simon Gilson 22 Oct 2019
17 The 2019 Esmond Harmsworth Lecture in American Arts and Letters New Yorker fiction through the decades Deborah Treisman 27 Jun 2019
18 Episode 8: Death Leaves Signs This episode, the final one of this season, features the work of Palestinian poet Yousif M. Qasmiyeh, author-in-residence at Refugee Hosts. Yousif M. Qasmiyeh, Adriana X Jacobs 14 Jun 2019
19 Episode 7: Living Absences In this conversation with Trinidadian Scottish poet Vahni Capildeo, author of Venus as a Bear (2018), we explore the layered, polyphonous histories of the places we pass through and inhabit. Vahni Capildeo, Adriana X Jacobs 07 Jun 2019
20 Episode 6: The .01 Percent In this episode, Israeli poet Tahel Frosh talks to us about her debut poetry collection Betsa (Avarice, 2014), financial crisis, and the value of culture. Tahel Frosh, Adriana X Jacobs 29 May 2019
21 Derek Attridge 'The Experience of Poetry' Book Launch Panel Discussion This event celebrates the publication of Professor Derek Attridge's work The Experience of Poetry with a book launch panel discussion. Derek Attridge, Helen Cooper, Cathy Shrank, Stephen Harrison 29 May 2019
22 Episode 5: The Cut Out In this episode, I talk to US poet Diana Khoi Nguyen (Ghost Of, 2018) about the perseverance of eels, technologies of printing, and how poetry allows for the possibility that our dead will remain present with us in one form or another. Diana Khoi Nguyen, Adriana X Jacobs 22 May 2019
23 Episode 4: Survival Takes Time Interview with US poet Laura Sims, author of Staying Alive (2016) and Looker (2018) Laura Sims, Adriana X Jacobs 16 May 2019
24 Episode 3: A Language for Grief Interview with Israeli poet Shimon Adaf, author of Aviva-Lo (Aviva-No, 2009). Shimon Adaf, Adriana X Jacobs 08 May 2019
25 Episode 2: We Grow out of the Past Interview with UK poet and translator Sasha Dugdale, author of Red House (2011) and Joy (2017) Sasha Dugdale, Adriana X Jacobs 01 May 2019
26 Episode 1: Like a Zombie Life Interview with the US poet Mike Smith, author of Pocket Guide to Another Earth (2018) and And There was Evening and There was Morning (2018). Mike Smith, Adriana X Jacobs 23 Apr 2019
27 Martin West Memorial Lecture 2019 - Perspectivism and the Homeric simile - Prof Stephen Halliwell Martin West Memorial Lecture 2019 Stephen Halliwell 03 Apr 2019
28 Josephine Balmer: A Reading Poet, classical translator, research scholar and literary critic, Josephine Balmer reads from her latest collection, The Paths of Survival - inspired by the surviving fragments of Aeschylus's lost tragedy, Myrmidons. Josephine Balmer 13 Mar 2019
29 'Undisfigured by False or Vicious Ornaments' - Clarity and Obscurity in the Age of Formlessness The Hilary Term Professor of Poetry lecture, delivered by Professor of Poetry Simon Armitage. Simon Armitage 28 Jan 2019
30 Creative Commons Susie Campbell speaks to Niall Munro Susie Campbell talks to Niall Munro about her experience as poet-in-residence during the Post-War seminar series 2017-18. Susie Campbell, Niall Munro 06 Aug 2018
31 Creative Commons A Crack of Light: Poetry Reading Poems of commemoration, reconstruction and reconciliation from the Post-War series' poets-in-residence. Susie Campbell, Mariah Whelan, Sue Zatland, Patrick Toland 06 Aug 2018
32 Creative Commons Alex Donnelly speaks to Niall Munro Alex Donnelly talks to Niall Munro about his work on the ecology of conflict, the interpretative role of academic research, and his interest in the 'lone voices' in poetry. Alex Donnelly, Niall Munro 31 Jul 2018
33 Creative Commons Anthony Ritchie speaks to Catherine Gilbert Composer Anthony Ritchie talks to Catherine Gilbert about the relationship between music, war and remembrance in his oratorio Gallipoli to the Somme. Anthony Ritchie, Catherine Gilbert 31 Jul 2018
34 Creative Commons A Feminist Punjabiyat: The Poetry of Amrita Pritam and Nasreen Anjum Bhatti Sara Kazmi speaks at the "New Directions in Studies of Pakistan: Politics, Culture, & History" workshop on 20 April 2018. Sara Kazmi 03 Jul 2018
35 Terra Foundation Lectures in American Art 2018: The Body of a Nation: (2) Skin and absence: the radical ceramics and poetry of the enslaved Dave the Potter Professor Miguel de Baca gives his second Terra Foundation Lecture in American Art on the work of Dave the Potter. Miguel De Baca 28 Jun 2018
36 Jonathan Dove speaks to Kate McLoughlin Composer Jonathan Dove talks to Kate McLoughlin about commemorating through music and music’s power to make us remember in the wake of individual and mass loss. Jonathan Dove, Kate McLoughlin 18 Jun 2018
37 Unseasonal Produce: Winter Words in Various Moods and Metres Simon Armitage delivers the Trinity 2018 poetry lecture entitled "Unseasonal Produce: Winter Words in Various Moods and Metres". Simon Armitage 17 May 2018
38 Creative Commons ‘Edward Lear’s Vision’, by Professor Matthew Bevis A talk given at the Ashmolean Museum on Edward Lear’s life, art, and poetry. Matthew Bevis 10 May 2018
39 Weeping 'He weeps by the side of the ocean, He weeps on the top of the hill', the poet wrote of himself in 'How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear'. Jasmine Jagger 04 Apr 2018
40 Introduction This programme introduces Lear and outlines the structure of the programmes. Matthew Bevis 04 Apr 2018
41 Poetry and Life-Writing: Panel-led Workshop 1 Bringing together experts working at the intersection of literature, human rights, foreign policy and peace initiatives, this workshop explored the role of poetry and life-writing in post-war healing. Dunya Mikhail, Philippe Sands, Lord John Alderdice, Jeremy Treglown 21 Nov 2017
42 Dunya Mikhail speaks to Alex Donnelly Iraqi-American poet Dunya Mikhail talks to Alex Donnelly about commemoration, reconnection and poetry as 'a museum of feeling'. Dunya Mikhail, Alex Donnelly 21 Nov 2017
43 Interview with Lord John Alderdice Lord John Alderdice (Liberal Democrat peer and Director of the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict (CRIC)) talks to Johana Musalkova and Rita Phillips. Lord John Alderdice, Johana Musalkova, Rita Phillips 20 Nov 2017
44 The Hawks and the Doves – raptors and rapture in the poetry of Thom Gunn and Ted Hughes. Professor of Poetry Simon Armitage discusses the poems of Thom Gunn and Ted Hughes. Simon Armitage 15 Nov 2017
45 M. NourbeSe Philip on the haunting of history M. NourbeSe Philip reads from She Tries Her Tongue, Her Silence Softly Breaks (1988) and Zong! (2008) as she describes her poetic development. M NourbeSe Philip, Marina Warner, Matthew Reynolds, Elleke Boehmer 25 Aug 2017
46 D-Empress Dianne Regisford presents ‘Hersto-rhetoric? Na so today!!!’ D-Empress Dianne Regisford presents a performance installation that explores the notion of the liberated woman from an African feminist perspective. D-Empress Dianne Regisford, Rev J, Erica Lombard 25 Aug 2017
47 Daljit Nagra on voice and identity in Look We Have Coming to Dover! Daljit Nagra reads from and discusses his celebrated debut collection, Look We Have Coming to Dover! (2007). In conversation with Dr Rachael Gilmour and the audience, he speaks about how and why he writes his poetry, and the readers for whom he writes. Daljit Nagra, Rachael Gilmour 25 Aug 2017
48 Bernardine Evaristo on writing Britain’s Black histories In conversation with Dr Zoe Norridge and Marsha Hutchinson, Bernardine Evaristo reads from and discusses her remarkable verse novel, The Emperor’s Babe (2001), which tells the story of a African girl growing up in Roman London in 211 AD. Bernardine Evaristo, Zoe Norridge, Marsha Hutchinson 25 Aug 2017
49 95 Theses: On the Principles and Practice of Poetry Professor of Poetry Simon Armitage gives his sixth public lecture. Held on 16th May 2017. Simon Armitage 19 May 2017
50 Tower Poetry 2017 Peter McDonald, Vahni Capildeo and Sarah Howe discuss the 2017 Tower Poetry competition. Peter McDonald, Vahni Capildeo, Sarah Howe 17 May 2017
51 Tower Poetry 2017: Qianling Stele' Annie Fan, second prize winner in the 2017 Tower Poetry competition, reads her poem Qianling Stele. Annie Fan 16 May 2017
52 Tower Poetry 2017: rosetta Ella Standage, first prize winner in the 2017 Tower Poetry competition, reads her poem rosetta. Ella Standage 16 May 2017
53 Tower Poetry 2017: I am a river Freya Gray Stone, commended prize winner in the 2017 Tower Poetry competition, reads her poem I am a river. Freya Gray Stone 16 May 2017
54 Tower Poetry 2017: Snowdrops Flora Barber, commended prize winner in the 2017 Tower Poetry competition, reads her poem Snowdrops. Flora Barber 16 May 2017
55 Tower 2017: If I Gave You a Stone Rachel Oyawale, third prize winner in the 2017 Tower Poetry competition, reads her poem If I Gave You a Stone. Rachel Oyawale 16 May 2017
56 Tower Poetry 2017: The Millstone Sofia Al-Hussaini, commended prize winner in the 2017 Tower Poetry competition, reads her poem The Millstone. Sofia Al-Hussaini 16 May 2017
57 Politics and Public Space in Contemporary Argentine Poetry Book at Lunchtime event. Ben Bollig, Bart van Es, Leigh A Payne, Eduardo Posada-Carbo 21 Mar 2017
58 We Need To Talk About Robert: Bob Dylan and the Nobel Prize for Literature' Professor of Poetry Simon Armitage gives a lecture about literature, poetry and Bob Dylan and the Nobel Prize for Literature. Held on 8th March 2017. Simon Armitage 14 Mar 2017
59 Translation as Afterlife In this seminar, Marcela Sulak (Bar Ilan University) and Adriana X. Jacobs (Oriental Studies) will explore the possibility of translation as “afterlife” through a discussion of the Hebrew poets Orit Gidali and Hezy Leskly. Marcela Sulak, Adriana X Jacobs 24 Feb 2017
60 Rumi: his life, work, and poetry Dr Zahra Taheri, Bahari Visiting Fellow in the Persian Arts of the Book, speaks about Rumi's life, mystical teaching, doctrine, and poetry. With Music by Dr Peyman Heydarian. Zahra Taheri, Peyman Heydarian, Fitzroy Morrissey 24 Jan 2017
61 Words for Winter: Tales of Home The event showcases the best of Oxford’s writing. Gathering together tales from all over the globe, of tradition, family, darkness, light and celebration. Pete Salmond, Charlene Pablo, Erica McAlpine, Nancy Campbell 13 Dec 2016
62 Militant Jihadi Culture: Poetry as a Weapon The power of poetry to move Arab listeners and readers emotionally, to infiltrate the psyche and to create an aura of authenticity around the ideologies it enshrines, make it a perfect weapon for militant jihadist causes. Elisabeth Kendall 05 Dec 2016
63 Critical Writing Dr Eleni Philippou, Leah Broad, Theophilus Kwek and James Watt in conversation. Eleni Philippou, Leah Broad, Theophilus Kwek, James Watt 07 Nov 2016
64 Creative Commons Conversation with Wole Soyinka A wide-ranging conversation between Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and members of the Ertegun House community. Topics include the status of African literature, the relationship between creativity and ideology, Brexit, and Bob Dylan. Wole Soyinka 27 Oct 2016
65 Mark Haddon, Daisy Johnson, and KJ Orr in Conversation Award-winning author Mark Haddon discusses his writing process and interests with local poet and writer Daisy Johnson. The conversation is moderated by KJ Orr. Mark Haddon, Daisy Johnson, KJ Orr 27 Jul 2016
66 How And Why I Write: Philip Pullman, Mary Loudon, Jane Griffiths, and Fintan Calpin in conversation Oxford authors and academics discuss their writing process. Philip Pullman, Mary Loudon, Jane Griffiths, Fintan Calpin 25 Jul 2016
67 Alumni Day 2015 - Microscopic and Macroscopic. Rhythmic prose and historical themes in Plutarch's 'Lives' and Appian's 'Civil Wars' Gregory Hutchinson on rhythmic prose and historical themes in Plutarch's 'Lives' and Appian's 'Civil Wars' Gregory Hutchinson 20 Jul 2016
68 TORCH Gender and Authority Research Network, Seminar 1, University of Oxford, 2 March 2016 TORCH Gender and Authority Research Network, Seminar 1 featuring Mary Harrod and Susan Garrard. Adele Bardazzi, David Bowe, Natalya Din-Kariuki, Julia Caterina Hartley 06 Jul 2016
69 Creative Commons And all this time it dwells behind the door Annie Freud, the award-winning poet and artist, will talk about where her poems come from, her development as an artist and writer, and the relationship between her poems and paintings. Annie Freud, Sowon Park 04 Jul 2016
70 Creative Commons About the Tower Poetry Summer School Find out more about the Tower Poetry Summer School - 2012 tutor, Alan Gillis, talks to participant, Camille Ralphs about the value of the summer school and how approachable it is. Alan Gillis, Camille Ralphs 17 Jun 2016
71 Creative Commons So, how does it feel to win? Ashani Lewis (winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition) talks to one of the judges, Katherine Rundell, about how it feels to have won first prize. Ashani Lewis, Katherine Rundell 17 Jun 2016
72 Creative Commons The most amazing experience Ashani Lewis (winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition) talks to one of the judges, Katherine Rundell, about the experience of winning in 2016. Ashani Lewis, Katherine Rundell 17 Jun 2016
73 Creative Commons From being unplaced in the 2015 competition to winning in 2016. Ashani Lewis (winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition) talks to one of the judges, Katherine Rundell, about how she went from being unplaced in the 2015 competition to winning in 2016. Ashani Lewis, Katherine Rundell 17 Jun 2016
74 Creative Commons Let the poem come to you Ashani Lewis (winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition) talks to one of the judges, Katherine Rundell, about she went from being unplaced in the 2015 competition to winning in 2016. Ashani Lewis, Katherine Rundell 17 Jun 2016
75 Creative Commons If at first you don't succeed' Ashani Lewis (winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition) talks to one of the judges, Katherine Rundell, about how she went from being unplaced in the 2015 competition to winning in 2016. Katherine Rundell, Ashani Lewis 17 Jun 2016
76 Creative Commons Tower Poetry 2016: Driving Lesson Commended winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Ed Pryor, reads his poem 'Driving Lesson'. Ed Pryor 17 Jun 2016
77 Creative Commons Tower Poetry 2016: Nine Days Commended winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Natasha Blinder, reads her poem 'Nine Days' Natasha Blinder 17 Jun 2016
78 Creative Commons Tower Poetry 2016: The Awakening Commended winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Sophia West, reads her poem 'The Awakening'. Sophia West 17 Jun 2016
79 Creative Commons Tower Poetry 2016: UFO Beach Abduction Commended winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Grace Fraser, reads her poem 'UFO Beach Abduction'. Grace Fraser 17 Jun 2016
80 Creative Commons Tower Poetry 2016: Flowers From The Dark Winner of the 2016 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Ashani Lewis, reads her poem 'Flowers From The Dark' Ashani Lewis 17 Jun 2016
81 Creative Commons Tagore and the theology of the global Professor Pradip Dutta speaks on Tagore at the South Asia Seminar Pradip Dutta 16 Jun 2016
82 Creative Commons Politics and Conflicts, Silence in the Archives Panel 2b This podcast is one of ten podcasts recorded at the 'Silence in the Archives' conference hosted by the Oxford Centre of Life-Writing at Wolfson College, Oxford on 7 November 2015. Rhea Sookdeosingh, Helen Mathers, Stephenie Woolterton 14 Jun 2016
83 Creative Commons Theatre and Performance, Silence in the Archives Panel 2a This podcast is one of ten podcasts recorded at the 'Silence in the Archives' conference hosted by the Oxford Centre of Life-Writing at Wolfson College, Oxford on 7 November 2015. Luisa Calè, Kate Newey 14 Jun 2016
84 Venus and Adonis Professor Katherine Duncan Jones, Senior Research Fellow, Somerville College, gives a talk on Shakespeare's poem, Venus and Adonis. Katherine Duncan-Jones 20 May 2016
85 Donne to Death Peter McCullough, Professor of English, University of Oxford, gives a talk on John Donne. Peter McCullough 13 May 2016
86 The Parable of the Solicitor and the Poet Simon Armitage, professor of poetry, University of Oxford delivers his inaugural lecture. Simon Armitage 08 Apr 2016
87 Creative Commons Silencing Poetic Voices, Silence in the Archives Panel 1b This podcast is one of ten podcasts recorded at the 'Silence in the Archives' conference hosted by the Oxford Centre of Life-Writing at Wolfson College, Oxford on 7 November 2015. Elaine Bailey, Jordan Lavers, Mary Breen 17 Feb 2016
88 Creative Commons Discovering Traherne Conversation between Nam Rao and Julia Smith on 17th century poet, divine and Brasenose College member Thomas Traherne. Nam Rao, Julia Smith 10 Feb 2016
89 Ted Hughes: The Unauthorised Life Jonathan Bate, Anne Farrar Donovan, Seamus Perry and Oliver Taplin discuss life-writing, poetry and the poet Jonathan Bate, Seamus Perry, Oliver Taplin, Anne Farrar Donovan 20 Oct 2015
90 Callaloo Creative Writing Reading by Vievee Francis Vievee reads poetry from her collection 'Forest Primeval' Vievee Francis 24 Jul 2015
91 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
92 Rubble Flora: Volker Braun Poetry Reading The German poet gives a special reading of old and new work and answers questions with David Constantine and Karen Leeder. Volker Braun, David Constantine, Karen Leeder 20 May 2015
93 New Sappho and new libraries Fourth Lunchtime lecture accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. With Dr Dirk Obbink. Dirk Obbink 19 May 2015
94 Tower Poetry 2015: The Forensics of Salt-Licking Winner of the 2015 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Isla Anderson, reads her poem 'The Forensics of Salt-Licking'. Isla Anderson 14 May 2015
95 Tower Poetry 2015: Fusion Second prizewinner of the 2015 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Max Thomas, reads 'Fusion'. Max Thomas 14 May 2015
96 Tower Poetry 2015: Firewood Third prizewinner of the 2015 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Lewis Harrington, reads his poem 'Firewood'. Lewis Harrington 14 May 2015
97 Tower Poetry 2015: Purblind Commended winner of the 2015 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Matt Ward, reads 'Purblind'. Matt Ward 14 May 2015
98 Tower Poetry 2015: Closed Door Commended winner of the 2015 Christopher Tower Poetry competition, Andrew Wells, reads 'Closed Door'. Andrew Wells 14 May 2015
99 APGRD Lecture: Gwyneth Lewis on Clytemnestra Gwyneth Lewis on Clytemnestra Gwyneth Lewis 11 Mar 2015
100 Unbuttoning Catullus A discussion with Dr Gail Trimble, Prof. Nicola Gardini, Josephine Balmer for the OCCT Translation and Criticism strand. Chaired by Professor Matthew Reynolds Gail Trimble, Nicola Gardini, Josephine Balmer, Matthew Reynolds. 01 Dec 2014