The Future of Sound Studies: Remembering Bruce R. Smith

Sound studies, sensory approaches and phenomenology are now so established in the contemporary practice of Shakespeare and early modern studies that it is hard to imagine the discipline without them. But for the pioneering work of Professor Bruce R. Smith (1946-2024) over the past three decades and more, our field would be far narrower, and its future less bright. Through his scholarship in books including The Acoustic World of Early Modern England (1999), The Key of Green (2009), and Phenomenal Shakespeare (2009), and through his tireless championing of colleagues and scholars at all career stages, Bruce was at the heart of a vibrant critical conversation that will continue for years to come. This day is a celebration of Bruce R. Smith’s contribution to sound studies and his generosity to the scholarly community, and an opportunity to reflect on future directions his work has made possible. Speakers will include Oskar Cox-Jensen (Newcastle), Katherine Hunt (UEA), Sophie Read (Cambridge), Jennifer Richards (Cambridge), Olivia Smith (Cambridge), Simon Smith (Shakespeare Institute), Tiffany Stern (Shakespeare Institute), Rachel Willie (Liverpool John Moores) and Richard Wistreich (Royal College of Music). Colleagues at all stages of career – and postgraduates especially – are invited to join us, sharing reflections on how Bruce's research has shaped their work, and the future of sound studies.

This event is a collaboration between the Shakespeare Institute and the Universities of Cambridge, East Anglia, Newcastle, and the Soundscapes in the Early Modern World network. We are delighted that Bruce’s husband, Gordon Davies, will join us.

Thanks to a Judith E Wilson Small Grant Award, attendance is free. We do need to know numbers, though, so if you would like to join us on the day please register by clicking the 'Reserve a Place' button.

Programme

11:00 – arrivals 11:15 – Welcome - Jenny Richards

11:30 – Keynote 1: ‘Ballads as Theatre “Merch” in Shakespeare’s London’ (Tiffany Stern, Shakespeare Institute)

13:00 – Refreshments

13:45 – Bruce R. Smith influence on the development of sound studies: Roundtable with Katherine Hunt, Sophie Read, Simon Smith, Rachel Willie, Richard Wistreich, Olivia Smith and Jenny Richards

14:45 – The future of sound studies: opening to the floor.

15:15 – Keynote 2: ‘Ubiquitous Music in Early Modern England’ (Oskar Cox Jensen, Newcastle University)

16:15 – closing remarks