Irish Studies

Interview with Laura Kelly, author of Irish Medical Education and Student Culture, c.1850-1950

To celebrate the release of Irish Medical Education and Student Culture, c.1850-1950, we caught up with Laura Kelly to discuss the roles of women and religion in medical student culture, and how the student experience differed from that of modern day students. What drew you to this period, and why do you think this is the first comprehensive … Continue reading

Poetry

Blood Child, Myths and Fairytales: In Conversation with Eleanor Rees

Natalie Bolderston caught up with Liverpool-based poet, and author of Blood Child, Eleanor Rees, to chat about poetry as an art-form, fairy tales, and how Liverpool is always present in her writing.  For many years, you have worked in participatory art as a creative workshop leader. Has this affected your writing in any way? Yes working … Continue reading

Poetry

The Inspiration and Storytelling of And She Was: In Conversation with Sarah Corbett

Natalie Bolderston caught up with Sarah Corbett to discuss the parallels of poetry and cinema and the inspiration and storytelling behind her gripping collection And She Was.  And She Was is described as a 'verse novel', as the poems connect to make one continuous narrative. What made you decide to combine the two forms? Did you face any … Continue reading

Poetry

The Science, Nature and Creativity of Slant Light. In Conversation with Sarah Westcott

We caught up with Sarah Westcott to discuss the interplay between science and creative writing and the various aspects of life and culture that enrich her poetry collection Slant Light. As someone who has studied both biology and creative writing, do you think that scientific methods (e.g. observation and analysis) bear any similarity to poetic composition? … Continue reading

History, Liverpool Interest

How Battles Over Booze Shaped Modern Liverpool – In Conversation with David Beckingham

How did Liverpool transform its 19th century reputation for drunkenness? David Beckingham, author of The Licensed City explains the social impact of licensing laws in a city centred on drinking culture.  What made you decide to study Liverpool and what did you focus on in your research? For much of the nineteenth century, Liverpool enjoyed a terrible … Continue reading