Committee Chair
Mike Rose-Steel, English research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
My current research addresses the idea of the 'inexpressible' in philosophy and poetry, and is helpfully supported by an AHRC grant. While constructing a conception of language that takes into account some Wittgensteinian preoccupations, I apply this thinking to the analysis and production of poetry. I am interested in the 'limits' of language, the human fascination with the inexpressible, and associated techniques and themes of lyric poetry. Related areas include ethical thinking, language phenomenology, animals rights and human identity, and the 'life of the text'.
Before joining the Exeter English department, I studied philosophy (BA (1st), MA), followed by an MA (dist.) in Writing, at the University of Warwick. Subsequently I worked for the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, providing on-line learning opportunities for exceptional teenagers. Recent undergraduate teaching includes critical theory and creative writing.
My PhD includes a creative element, largely poetry inspired by my research. Most recently I collaborated with writers Jaime Robles and Suzanne Steele on the collection: ‘Fifty One Shades of Black and Blue’.
As committee chair and exhibition curator, I’ve had some great learning opportunity and enjoyed working with some of Exeter’s finest and most unusual postgraduates.
Treasurer & Catering
Edward Taylor, History research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
My research addresses occupational identity in early modern England. Currently, I am interested in expression of, and allusion to, occupational stereotypes in popular printed and manuscript sources, such as ballads, jest books, and compilations of proverbs. However, I hope balance this more discourse-focused research with an investigation of popular engagement with occupational stereotypes in court records and petitions.
I completed a BA (Hons) in History (1st) at Newcastle University in 2009. I spent part of the following academic year working at Newcastle as a Research Assistant under Dr Luc Racaut. I started an MPhil in Early Modern History at the University of Cambridge in autumn 2010 and applied to Exeter whilst working on my dissertation. I was lucky enough to be awarded a 1+3 ESRC Studentship and began an MRes in Economic and Social History here after graduating from Cambridge with a high Pass. I completed my second master (dist.) in August and moved onto the PhD in October.
I presented at the first College of Humanities PGR Conference last year, and I was very keen help organise it this year. As Treasurer and co-Catering Organiser, I hope I have contributed positively to an interesting and smoothly run conference.
Catering & Keynote Liaison
Thomas Hine, History research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
Fundraising
Evelyn John, English research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
Fundraising & Conference Booklet
Helen John, Theology and Religion research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
My motivations for getting involved with the organising of the Humanities PGR conference were several. Having never been to an academic conference at this level before, I wanted to make the most of this opportunity, not only by giving a paper but also by getting involved behind the scenes. I also felt that this would be a great opportunity to meet and develop links with fellow PGR students from across the College. I have enjoyed getting to know my fellow committee members and together we have planned a conference which we hope will be even better than last year’s. My roles in the committee have been to assist with fundraising efforts and organise the volunteers who will assist the committee in the delivery of the conference on the day. It has definitely been of benefit to my general PhD experience so far to have a focus beyond my own research and to be thinking about the delivery of my research to a wider audience. I hope that having been on this committee will be a valuable addition to my academic CV, showing as it does a collegiate spirit, teamwork and a drive to provide opportunities for all of the PGRs in the College of Humanities with a forum in which to present their research.
Publicity & Marketing, & Presenter Support
Tamsin Gardner, History research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
Prior to beginning my research at Exeter, I worked in a variety of business sectors, predominately in human resource consultancy roles in medium to large private sector organisations. As you can imagine returning to full-time study has been quite a change so I joined the conference organising committee to engage with my postgraduate peers and get to grips with the culture of a university and how the academic world functions.
It has been an enjoyable experience seeing the event take shape and I’ve met some great people with fascinating research interests.
My role has been to provide marketing and publicity support and this has allowed me to draw on some transferable skills from my professional experience and utilise them within the context of the university environment. It has also provided variation from my research into medicine and healthcare of thirteenth-century monks.
If you are interested in finding out a bit more about me, please visit my e-profile or come along to the paper I will be giving about medieval monks and their medicine and healthcare.
Publicity & Marketing
Lori Lee Oates, History research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
I am a first year M.Phil./PhD. student in the Department of History, studying the Transmission of Occultism Between France and Britain in the Mid to Late Nineteenth Century. I was pleased to be awarded an International Doctoral Studentship from the College of Humanities. For my thesis, I am using a combination of cultural and intellectual historical methodologies. In 2012, I completed an M.Phil. (Humanities) with a specialization in the historical and intellectual roots of New Age Religion. My other degrees include an M.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology. I have intermediate level French and have studies introductory Latin and German. I am a member of the North American Victorian Studies Association, American Historical Society, British Victorian Studies Association, Society for the Study of French History, Societas Magica, and the European Association for the Study of Western Esotericism. I have fourteen years of experience in communications and public policy analysis and I am an internationally Accredited Business Communicator. On this year’s conference committee I am responsible for publicity and marketing, together with Tamsin Gardener.
Conference Papers & Presenter Support
Isabel Galleymore, English research student, College of Humanities, University of Exeter
I am a first year PhD student focusing upon ecopoetics and nature writing pedagogies. My research interests extend to theories of humour, environmental cartoons, the philosophy of metaphor and my own creative writing. My role within the committee has been concerned with receiving and organising abstracts for papers, which given their fascinating variety, has been a really enjoyable activity!
Conference Papers
Anna-Marie Linnell, English research student, College of Humanities
Now in the first year of my PhD, I have been at Exeter University since starting my undergraduate degree here in 2008/9. Whilst completing an MA in English Studies (Renaissance), I was fortunate enough to be offered a PhD studentship as part of the Stuart Successions Project. My research combines literature and history, to investigate the representation of royal consorts over the seventeenth century.
I think that the 2013 HUMS PGR conference is a great initiative, bringing humanities scholars from across the disciplines in to dialogue. Working alongside Isabel, my role has been to organise conference panels and liaise with the speakers. It has been really exciting to see the program come together, and the conference line up promises an excellent few days.