English and Linguistics, University of Otago

19/09/2026

In the 1980s, Peter Ransom was a rising star in the New Zealand art world--and then he disappeared. In the current issue of the Listener, Professor Thomas McLean catches up with Ransom and takes a peek at his new work, inspired by Alain-Fournier's 1913 novel Le Grand Meaulnes.

18/09/2026

The 2026 Otago English and Linguistics Seminar continues Wednesday with a presentation from Dr Lisa Marr entitled "Cumann na nGaedheal’s Literary and Language Activities
(1922–1924)." See below for a description of the presentation. The seminar meets Wednesday 23 September at 1pm in Burns 3 and online via Zoom. Please contact [email protected] for the Zoom link. All are welcome!

17/09/2026

Excellent news! "The University of Otago College of Education Children’s Writer in Residence resumes its vital role in supporting children’s literature, in partnership with Robert Lord Writers Cottage Trust, after receiving Creative New Zealand funding."

New Zealand’s longest established residency for children’s writers returns and with it the promise of more stories for, and about, our children and young people.

15/09/2026

Central Otago! MindJam is returning next month (23-25 October), featuring Otago Humanities academics including our own David Ciccoricco. Follow the link below for more details. We hope to see you in Arrowtown over the long Labour Day weekend!

Catalyst Trust is rapt to announce the relaunch of MindJam, a celebration of thinking in collaboration with the University of Otago's Humanities Division, this Labour Weekend in Arrowtown.

Some of you will remember the MindJams of 2017-19 we held at Yonder. The conversations are led by our guest experts, but the MindJam magic comes from your questions and kōrero.

More details and registration on our Facebook and Humanitix pages. A great community event to bring your friends and family along to between lunch and walks in beautiful Arrowtown. And of course, you can enjoy the museum while you're there!

12/09/2026

Please join us on Monday 14 September at 5pm, when Associate Professor Ipsh*ta Nath of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies in India, will present a special Zoom seminar entitled "Memsahibs, Medicine and Women’s Health: Managing the ‘White’ Female-Body in Colonial India”. Details are in the attached poster.

11/09/2026

One week to go! Writer 2026, the University of Otago’s annual creative writing competition, is open for entries, with the prompt: Small things – overlooked details and ordinary moments. The competition closes at midnight on Thursday 17 September. Winners will be announced on Thursday 8 October. See the link for further information.

The University’s annual creative writing competition opens for entries today, with the prompt: Small things – overlooked details and ordinary moments.

08/09/2026

The 2026 Otago English and Linguistics Seminar continues Friday with a presentation from English MA student Randy Makkinga entitled "Devils in the Flesh: Externalizing Consciences in Early Modern Drama." See below for a description of the presentation. The seminar meets Friday 11 September at 4pm in Burns 4 and online via Zoom. Please contact [email protected] for the Zoom link. All are welcome!

05/09/2026

“What will you do with an English major? Anything. Everything. You’ll better understand the seeds of creativity and how they’re made to flower. You’ll swim in a borderless sea of thoughts beautifully expressed, ideas precisely articulated, words put into the service of emotions. The wetter you get, the more expert you’ll be at shaping stories, at persuading, and I can’t imagine any profession or any world in which better communicators aren’t better off.”

So says Frank Bruni in this recent piece in the New York Times. The article is behind a paywall, but Otago students have access via the university library.

The future’s a riddle. Shakespeare isn’t.

03/09/2026

From our colleagues in History: on Wednesday 23 September, Dr Monty Soutar will present the 2026 Michael King Lecture, "The Storyteller's Challenge: Making the pre-colonial and colonial past resonate today." Mark your calendar!

30/08/2026

100 Views of the Burns/Arts Building, View 10: from the Archway Building and the Annie Stevenson Building (formerly the Consumer and Applied Sciences Building).

Please note that the first floor of the Burns/Arts Building will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for maintenance work. English and Linguistics staff will be working from home.

We wish you all a happy mid-semester break!