The Centre for New Zealand Studies, Birkbeck, University of London,
in association with the University of Northampton,
is proud to present

THE KATHERINE MANSFIELD CENTENARY CONFERENCE, BIRKBECK, UNIVERSITY OF
LONDON, 4-6 SEPTEMBER 2008

The year 2008, as well as being the 120th anniversary of her birth,
celebrates the centenary of Katherine Mansfield’s arrival in London in
1908 from New Zealand at the age of nineteen, in order to pursue a career
as a writer. Within three years she would see her first collection of
short stories published â€" In a German Pension â€" meet John Middleton
Murry, her future husband, and go on to forge a career as the writer of
some of the twentieth-century’s most remarkable short stories.

This major three-day international conference aims to re-evaluate
Katherine Mansfield’s contribution to 20th century literature, as well as
assessing the state of Mansfield scholarship and criticism today. We seek
proposals for papers from national and international academics,
postgraduates and independent scholars. Suggested topics for discussion
might include, but are not limited to:

• KM and literary London
• KM in Europe
• KM and Travel Writing
• KM and her cultural importance to New Zealand
• KM: European vs colonial writer
• KM as innovator of the Modernist short story
• KM: screen depictions and the film Leave All Fair
• KM and television adaptations/documentaries
• KM and artistic representations
• KM and Bloomsbury/ Virginia Woolf
• KM and D. H. Lawrence
• KM and John Middleton Murry: Rhythm and Blue Review
• KM and children
• KM’s literary debts and legacies
• KM and styles of representing the self
• KM’s non-fiction: letters and diaries
• KM and auto/biography
• KM literary criticism and theory
• KM’s writing: foreign reception, translation and dissemination

Confirmed keynote speakers:

• Professor Mary Ann Caws, City University of New York
• Dr Ian Conrich, Director, Centre for New Zealand Studies,
Birkbeck, University of London
• Professor Clare Hanson, University of Southampton
• Kathleen Jones, biographer and poet
• Professor Vincent O’Sullivan, DCNZM, Victoria, University of
Wellington
• Professor Angela Smith, University of Stirling
• Margaret Scott, editor
• Professor C. K. Stead, ONZ, CBE, University of Auckland
• Jacqueline Wilson, OBE, Children’s Laureate
• Professor John Worthen, University of Nottingham

Paper titles, 250-300 word abstracts (for 20 minute papers), and 150 word
bio-sketches should be sent to BOTH conference organisers by Friday 1
February 2008:

Dr Gerri Kimber gerri_at_thekimbers.co.uk and
Professor Janet Wilson janet.wilson_at_northampton.ac.uk

A decision on proposals received will be made by 22 February 2008.

The conference venue is in Bloomsbury with several associated KM sites
within easy walking distance. In addition, a coach tour of KM associated
sites in London is being planned, together with a wine reception,
conference dinner, and readings from KM’s stories. Further details
relating to the conference will appear within the coming months on the
Centre for New Zealand Studies' new website, currently under construction.

Publications arising from the conference are planned.

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Received on Mon Oct 08 2007 - 06:21:53 EDT