University of Chichester, English and Creative Writing Department

This week we welcomed Laura Freeman, Chief Art Critic for The Times, to campus. She's written a lovely piece in today's paper encouraging everyone to come and see the new exhibition!

Listen again to Dr Miles Leeson, who made the discovery and is Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre at the University of Chichester, and Professor Anne Rowe on Women's Hour at 39 - 46 mins.

A chance discovery in an attic has revealed that the Booker Prize-winning novelist Iris Murdoch also had an artistic side. More than 80 of her artworks have been found in a secret room in the attic of her former home, where they had been lying for decades. They include the only self-portrait she is known to have painted, four surrealist landscapes and three sketches of female nudes. Miles and Anne discuss the importance of the art.

Woman's Hour - Girls in Afghanistan, Female entrepreneurs and life editing, Women’s cricket - BBC Sounds Five years after the Taliban took power, we look at the lives of girls in Afghanistan.

Congratulations to Dr Miles Leeson on the launch of his new book, 'Visiting Mrs Bayley and Other Essays', at the Twelfth International Iris Murdoch Conference today.

The collection celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre and brings together Miles' essays from the past decade, including several pieces published for the very first time.

Alongside essays on Iris Murdoch, the volume explores the work and lives of Elizabeth Bowen, Brigid Brophy, Muriel Spark, Rumer Godden and John Bayley.

https://irismurdochsociety.org.uk/product/mrsbayley/

Dr Miles Leeson, Reader in English Literature and Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre, is in the Guardian today for helping uncover a fascinating new chapter in Iris Murdoch's creative legacy.

More than 80 previously undiscovered artworks by the celebrated novelist were found at her former North Oxford home last year. Twenty-five of these works, including a striking self-portrait and surrealist landscapes, are on display for the first time in Iris Murdoch Amongst the Artists.

Visit the exhibition at the University of Chichester Library, open until 10 December.

Pictured: Dr Miles Leeson holding the Guardian article about the discovery alongside Professor Antonina Pereira, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/aug/14/iris-murdoch-artworks-secret-room-self-portrait-novelist

Later this week we're welcoming over a hundred guests to our biennial Iris Murdoch Conference! Jointly organised by the Iris Murdoch Research Center - which is soon to celebrate its 10th anniversary - and the Iris Murdoch Society, speakers are coming from across the world. Check out the programme below...👇

We're thrilled to share that Amy Gibbons, who first studied BA (Hons) Creative Writing and English at the University of Chichester, has become the University's first law graduate to be called to the Bar. What an incredible achievement. Congratulations, Amy! 🎉

First University of Chichester law graduate called to the Bar See the latest news from Your World at https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world

Exhibition: Iris Murdoch amongst the Artists
14 August – 10 December 2026
University of Chichester Library, Bishop Otter Campus. Free and open to all.

A major retrospective including newly-discovered artworks by Dame Iris Murdoch as well as works by Margaret Benyon, Barbara Dorf, Rachel Fenner, James Jefferies, Sargy Mann, Kevin Petrie, Tom Phillips, Carol Sommer, Reynolds Stone, and Harry Weinberger.

Last week our colleague, Miles Leeson, was at the BBC to record an Episode of 'Great Lives' on Iris Murdoch with Russell Kane (who chose Murdoch) and Matthew Parris. The episode will be broadcast on Radio 4 later in the summer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qxsb/episodes/player

Thanks to our lovely English and Creative Writing final-year students for taking part!

We’re delighted to share that our Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Karen Stevens, has co-edited a new book:
Creative Writing and the Critical Commentary: Reflection, Influence, Process

‘This book opens the door to the mirror-world of Creative Writing and reveals the art behind the art … it shows students and writers how reflective practice can sharpen craft, deepen self-knowledge and turn process into insight … it is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand not only how to write, but how to think as a writer.’
— Professor David Morley FRSL, University of Warwick

Out now with Bloomsbury.

Congratulations to Karen on this fantastic achievement! 👏

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/creative-writing-and-the-critical-commentary-9781350439887/?