Historical Fictions Research Network - Online Lectures 2025

The Historical Novel in National Traditions

This lecture series is aimed primarily at MA- and PhD-students but also the general interested public. It offers short introductory lectures by international experts on historical fictions. The lecture series is organised and hosted by the Historical Fictions Research Network, an international, interdisciplinary organisation, discussing all aspects of the construction of the historical narrative.

The aim of the first series of lectures is to provide an introduction into different national traditions of the historical novel, by introducing key authors and historical novels central to the tradition of the respective nation. This will enable listeners to compare the developments in different countries. As the Anglo-American tradition often dominates literary research, this will also provide an opportunity to question this and to examine distinct developments previously hidden through language barriers.

Lectures are planned to take place bi-monthly, with 45-minute lectures, followed by Q&A, online in Zoom. Access is free, though for reasons of cybersecurity, participants need to register for the lecture series in advance.

Speakers in 2025

“A ‘maternal genealogy’ of the Historical Novel (in ‘England’)?” – Jerome de Groot; University of Manchester (10 March, 4 p.m. GMT)

The Swedish Historical Novel – Claudia Linden, Södertörn University, and Lisa Grahn, Uppsala University (14 May, 4 p.m. BST, UTC+1)

The Historical Novel in Japan – Emi Tozawa, University of Manchester (1 July, 4 p.m. BST, UTC+1)

The Spanish Historical Novel – Yolanda Rodriguez Perez, University of Amsterdam (September, date to be confirmed)

The Historical Novel in Australia – Catherine Padmore, Stephanie Downes and Kelly Gardiner, University of La Trobe (November, date to be confirmed)