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School of Modern Languages & Cultures

Culture and Difference

The overarching aim of the 'Culture and Difference' research group is to investigate concepts and formations of identity(ies) and alterity(ies) as distributed along diverse axes (age, degree of ability or disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or social class) and their widely varying cultural instantiations (in thought, philosophy, literature, film, photography). Due to its basis in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, one of this research group's particular strengths is the interculturally nuanced understanding of different national, geographical and geopolitical perspectives on these identitarian categories (Arabic/ Middle Eastern, British, French/ francophone, German, Italian, Russian, Hispanic). In previous academic years we have had presentations from guest speakers about the representation of Spain in Spanish Cinema (by Professor Alfredo Martínez-Expósito,  University of Queensland, Australia); globalization, sexuality and citizenship in the French banlieue (by Assoc. Professor Denis Provencher, University of Maryland, USA) and  Arabic masculinities on on contemporary queer cinema in France and francophone countries (by Dr Nick Rees-Roberts, University of Bristol). The group also co-sponsored an invited talk by prominent Catalan film director Ventura Pons and the screening of his film Barcelona, un mapa. Guest speakers for this academic session (2012-13) include Prof Brad Epps (University of Cambridge, Harvard University, IAS) and Dr Alejandro Melero (University Carlos III, Madrid), and Prof Chris Perriam (Manchester University) , who will give talk on 'Queer Sexualities in Contemporary Spanish Film and Popular Culture'. The group meets regularly once a term to discuss specific aspects of members' research that are relevant for the group. Usual activities include short presentations by members of the academic staff and postgraduate students, discussions of specific texts and strategic planning for joint research projects and funding bids.

Forthcoming dates and events:

Term 1 

  • Wednesday 24 October(12pm)
    Max Anley (PhD student in the Russian Department) and one or two other PhD students in the School will discuss the relevance for their own research of the topics addressed in the ‘Culture and Difference’ seminar held on Wednesday 7 March 2012. Led by Drs Caitríona Ní Dhúill and Yarí Pérez Marín, the seminar was entitled ‘ “It goes without saying”. Gender theory, gender questions: mainstreamed or sidelined?'.
  • Wednesday 28 November (12pm)
    Research paper from Dr Helen Finch (University of Leeds): 'A madness most discreet: Melancholy bachelors and queer desires  in the works of W. G. Sebald'. 

Term 2 

  • Thursday 28 February (5pm)
    Prof Brad Epps (Cambridge University/Harvard University/IAS), Dr Alejandro Melero (Universidad Carlos III, Madrid), Pro Chris Perriam (Manchester University): 'Queer Sexualities in Contemporary Spanish Film and Popular Culture'. Respondent: Dr Santiago Fouz Hernández (Durham University).  

Term 3 

  • Thursday 9 May (5pm)
    Research paper from Dr Florian Grandena (University of Ottawa, Canada): '(Homo)sexualities in French/Francophone Literature'