British Academy Conferences bring together scholars and specialists from around the world to consider and evaluate new research in the humanities and social sciences. 

This two-day conference will take place on Thursday 30 September-Friday 1 October. Details about Day 2, including the booking link, can be found on this page. Details about Day 1, including the booking link, are available. 

What role does song have in the novel? What happens when characters listen to, sing, remember, or imagine songs? How are these songs captured and represented in prose? Scholars from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds will come together to consider these questions, and others, in collaborative, cross-period, transnational conversations.

Conference convenors:
Dr Jennifer Rushworth, UCL
Professor Sir Barry Ife, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Dr Hannah Scott, Newcastle University

Speakers and chairs across the two-day conference include:
Professor Philip Bullock, University of Oxford
Professor Terence Cave FBA, University of Oxford
Professor Katharine Ellis FBA, University of Cambridge
Dr Thomas Hyde, KCL
Professor Axel Körner, UCL/Universität Leipzig
Professor Lawrence Kramer, Fordham University
Professor Cormac Newark, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Dr Simon Park, University of Oxford
Dr Caroline Potter, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Dr Nina Rolland, University of Reading
Professor Catriona Seth FBA, University of Oxford
Dr Joshua Torabi, IMLR, University of London

The programme is available.

This event will have live subtitles provided by StageTEXT, delivered by MyClearText

Booking a place at a British Academy event constitutes your acceptance of our terms and conditions. If you have any questions about this event please email events@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.

Image: Portrait of a man playing a virginal, Francesco Traballesi, 1554-1570, Courtesy of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

ABOUT THE BRITISH ACADEMY

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future.

From artificial intelligence to climate change, from building prosperity to improving well-being – today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, cultures and societies.

We invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for the benefit of everyone.

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