Centre for Research in Philosophy and Literature
Who we are
The CRPLA provides a unique forum for the exchange of research expertise and for cross-departmental enquiry into the intersections between philosophy, literature and the arts. Its goal is to promote philosophical reflection both on and in these subject areas, while drawing on the expertise of subject specialists to put pressure on philosophical assumptions that might otherwise pass unquestioned in the ‘philosophy of art’, ‘philosophy of literature’ etc. The intended upshot is genuinely interdisciplinary research that poses new questions, proposes new theories and even methodologies that would not have arisen within any of the separate subject domains, left to their own devices and methodological assumptions.
What we do
The CRPLA has an active programme of events that promote cross-disciplinary research, including lectures, colloquia, and major international conferences; these events run throughout the year; details can be found in the current programme. Our annual programme of events is supplemented by the contributions of distinguished Visiting Scholars. The diversity of the Centre's research is also reflected in the list of current and former Associate Fellows of CRPLA, most of whom have contributed to the Centre’s programme of research events. The departments associated with the Centre’s activities include Philosophy, English and Comparative Literary Studies, French, German, Italian and History of Art. The CRPLA both aims to reflect the interdisciplinary research interests of members working in all of these fields and to encourage productive dialogue across these areas.
Just for students
As a complement to its interdisciplinary research profile, the CRPLA is closely associated with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in philosophy and literature. Members of the Centre are actively involved in teaching on the Undergraduate Degree in Philosophy and Literature and on the one-year taught MA in Philosophy and Literature and contribute to the Doctoral Programme in Philosophy and Literature.
Director: Professor Keith Ansell Pearson
Programme Director: Dr Eileen John
