New Waves & Different Lights: Approaches to Derek Mahon

In the last ten years, Derek Mahon has produced three new volumes of poetry (Harbour Lights, Life on Earth, An Autumn Wind), as well as a New Collected Poems, and collected editions of his translations and his work for the theatre. This conference will consider his more recent work, as well as the new perspectives it opens on his celebrated earlier poetry.

The conference is organised by the Department of English Studies at Durham University, UK, and will take place at John’s College, Durham University, 18-19 September 2014. The confirmed plenary speakers are Neil Corcoran (University of Liverpool) and Hugh Haughton (University of York).

Papers are welcome on such subjects as Mahon’s process of self-revision; Mahon’s approach to poetic form, and the ways in which it has changed during the course of his career; and how Mahon’s work may be situated in international and postcolonial contexts, as well as in Ireland’s changing political and cultural landscape. Other areas of interest might include Mahon and the practice of translation; his dramatic works; his ekphrastic writing; his engagement with eco-poetics; and his influences and influence on other writers.

Papers should be 20 minutes long. Please submit an abstract of up to 300 words to paul.batchelor at durham.ac.uk by 30 June 2014.

For more information, please visit the conference website at http://www.mahonconference2014.wordpress.com or follow us on Twitter: @MahonConf2014