About the Project

Devolved Voices is an exciting three-year research project starting in September 2012 and led by Professor Peter Barry with researchers Dr Matthew Jarvis (critic and scholar of contemporary English-language poetry in Wales) and Kathryn Gray (editor and poet). The project will investigate the state of Welsh poetry in English since 1997 and Wales’ ‘yes’ vote. The project has been generously funded by the Leverhulme Trust, receiving a major award of £232,042.

Devolved Voices will consider the growth of diverse English-language poetry from Wales since devolution, with a particular focus on those voices which have emerged since 1997 and a consideration of the rise in poetry from women. The project outcomes will include four books (one full-length scholarly volume which will place contemporary Welsh poetry in English in its British poetic context, another which will provide detailed studies of major figures within the field, a book of extended essays with key poets, and a final book of essays which will consider the specific question of poetic production within the context of devolution). Vital components of the project will be its open-to-all video-rich website (which will include interviews with poets and notable commentators on the poetry scene), articles, and a lively blog which will provide a living narrative of the project as it develops. Devolved Voices will be a unique project, incorporating study which will be of interest to scholars and engaged practitioners and readers of contemporary poetry, with a strong outreach emphasis.

We will use this blog to update on progress and to post links, news and events, and we warmly welcome your comments.

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