Are you passionate about the School of English? Looking for work experience that fits around your studies? Then we want to hear from you!
We are looking to recruit energetic and ambitious students from the school to help on a range of student-focused tasks across the year. If you join the programme, you’d be asked to help with the following kinds of work, paid for your time and have your expenses covered:
1. Induction week assistance for the school office
2. Open and Visit Days
3. Help with major public events run by the school (ushering, ticketing, administrative support etc.)
Of course, there’d be no expectation that you worked on every single event and we’d always be working to find ways to fit this around your studies.
We are also looking to recruit a Student Blogger. Please read the attached role description to see if this would be something you’d be interested in.
To be successful, you’ll need to be confident, reliable and self-motivated, have good communication skills and a clear understanding of how our degrees work and the strengths of Newcastle University. Experience of working in customer service or marketing is desirable but not essential.
The programme is open to all students from our school.
Application Deadline: Friday 7th May, 4pm.
Interviews for the Student Blogger position will be held on Thursday 20th May.
The Literature Speaker Series is proud to announce two upcoming talks by Joseph North (Yale) and Grace Lavery (Berkeley). These online events aim to help the SELLL community think critically about the value of literature and to reflect on the big questions animating the field of literary studies. Please join us for what promising to be two exciting discussions.
Undergraduate SELLL students can check their Canvas enrichment page for the Zoom joining details for the following events:
Joseph North (Yale), “In Praise of the Mob” – Thursday 25th February, 11.00-12.00
Grace Lavery (Berkeley), “Some Objections to the Anti-Pornographic Reading of The Old Curiosity Shop“ – Thursday 4th March, 16:00-17:00
Are you interested in Further Study? Want to learn more about the PG options in SELLL?
Join current SELLL Masters Degree students Abi Hockaday, Shaun Thomas and Becky Robinson and academic Stacy Gillis in a friendly, informal Q & A session with EngSoc President and UG 3rd year Olivia Blackham.
When: Thursday 28th January 2021 @ 4pm on Zoom
You are welcome to join either with video turned on or off, or via the text chat function – whatever you prefer.
Please note the event is being recorded so that we can upload to Canvas for those who are unable to join the live event.
If you have any questions you would like Olivia to ask on your behalf please email o.blackham@ncl.ac.uk by midday on Thursday 28th January.
Congratulations to Professor Linda Anderson who has been awarded an OBE for services to Higher Education. She has changed the face of the literary landscape in the North through her outstanding contribution to the field of creative writing for nearly 40 years.
Her role at the NCLA has earned the organisation an international reputation for its work promoting literature and creativity. Thousands of people have enjoyed its free programme of talks, readings and events.
Professor Anderson is a respected poet and her reputation has attracted word-class writers to work at Newcastle including TS. Eliot Poetry prize and Forward Poetry prize winners. She has also helped to shape the way creative writing is taught nationally and has championed work on employability in the cultural industries.
She was also responsible for Newcastle University acquiring literary archives from Bloodaxe Books and the writers including Sean O’Brien, Selima Hill, Jack Mapanje, Moniza Alvi and Selima Hill, greatly enhancing Newcastle’s importance as a centre for literary research.
She also devised grassroots projects where writers worked with NHS, prison service and Northumbria Police.
Congratulations to our MA in Writing Poetry student, Ian Glass. Their pamphlet ‘About Leaving’ has received a mention in the TLS write up of Michael Marks awards.
In 2021 we will be welcoming Professor Jo Robinson as the new Head of School for Newcastle University School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.
Jo is coming to us from the University of Nottingham where she is currently Professor of Drama and Performance, and Head of Drama and Creative Writing in the School of English.
Congratulations Professor Robinson and we look forward to welcoming you in person, when we can!
Three of our students who were nominated for the Endowed Prizes Awards received confirmation that they have obtained one of the prestigious University awards.
Ashley Roberts (Stage 2, Linguistics) has won the Stanley Dennison Scholarship Prize for their academic achievement during 2019-20.
Polly Dacam (Stage 2, English Language) and Louisa Rimmer (Stage 2, English Literature) have both received one of the Endowed Prizes based on their respective academic achievements during 2019-20.
Congratulations to Ashley, Polly and Louisa on their fantastic achievements!
New this semester, SELLL UG News is a fortnightly round up compiled by Professional Services (PS) staff in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. The idea is to give you a summary of what is going on in the School with standard items such as wellbeing support, upcoming events and topical information. If you would like to see certain information included in the Newsletter, please email your ideas to caroline.ede@newcastle.ac.uk
UPCOMING EVENTS
Virtual Go Abroad Fair Wednesday 4th November 2020, 1-4pm. Online. Current Stage 2 students are invited to the Virtual Go Abroad Fair to learn about opportunities to go abroad during your Newcastle degree. The event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. It is recommended that you install the app onto your device in advance. You can sign up to the event online. You will be sent a link to join the Go Abroad Fair on the morning of the event.
UG Student Voice Committee (SVC) Monday 16th November 2020, 3-4pm. Online. Your undergraduate committee will be meeting with staff to discuss how you’ve found the start of term, and the transition to teaching online. If you have any thoughts or ideas you would like to raise with the committee, please get in touch with your course representative. All rep details can be found online and will be made available on the NCL app very soon.
Buffer/Enrichment Week w/c Monday 16th November 2020. Online. A schedule of events for your Enrichment Week will be made available on Canvas, in the same course you found your induction information.
Mental Health in 20th Century Literature Reading Group Wednesday 11th November 2020, 5-6pm A new informal reading group set up in conjunction with the Postgraduate Culture Group (PGCG). The first meeting will be discussing short extracts from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Extracts will be provided by email in advance, so no need to buy the book. The group is open to undergraduates and postgraduates. To register your interest, please email m.stevenson1@newcastle.ac.uk
CURRENT STUDENT SUCCESS
Lucia Qureshi, a 3rd year BA in English Literature and History student, has been highly commended at the Global Undergraduate Awards Programme 2020 for her essay ‘Crossing the Boundaries Between Primates and People: An Exploration of Anthropomorphism and Zoomorphism in The Jungle Book and She’. This is a fantastic achievement which came out of her work on the School’s ‘Victorian Passions’ module.
More SELLL student success Three of our students were nominated for the Endowed Prizes Awards and received confirmation that they have obtained one of the prestigious University awards. Ashley Roberts (Stage 2, Linguistics) has won the Stanley Dennison Scholarship Prize for their academic achievement during 2019-20. Polly Dacam (Stage 2, English Language) and Louisa Rimmer (Stage 2, English Literature) have both received one of the Endowed Prizes based on their respective academic achievements in 2019-20
Bonfire Night will be a little different this year. Make sure to stay safe.
STUDENT WELLBEING & SUPPORT
In SELLL, student wellbeing and support is one of our top priorities. We’ve highlighted some of the key contacts, services and processes available:
Personal Tutor Your Personal Tutor is your first point of contact for any issues you might be having. If you need further help, they can recommend contacting the Senior Tutor or Student Wellbeing.
Senior Tutors The senior tutors act as a second point of contact for you. They can also be contacted with queries about the personal tutor system or in the event of more complicated issues affecting your academic studies. Stage 1 Senior Tutor: Dr James Cummings Stages 2 & 3 Senior Tutor: Professor Martha Young-Scholten
School Office Staff The SELLL School Office is currently open Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm. Members of staff are also available to contact via email. Key contacts are listed below:
Online Chat for a quick response If you have a question for the School Office and need a quick reply, you can log onto our twice weekly online chat service, through the Current Student section on the website. To access the chat, scroll down and click on the Contact Us icon on the right side. Online chat is available every Tuesday 10-12am and every Thursday 2-4pm.
Absence Requests If you are going to be absent for 3 consecutive days or more (Monday-Friday), please submit an absence request through S3P.
Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC) If you have difficulties completing your assignments or handing your work in on time because of personal extenuating circumstances, the most important thing you can do is tell the School about any problems you are having. Please talk to your personal tutor or the appropriate senior tutor in the first instance. PEC forms are submitted through S3P, and more information is available on our website.
Student Support Plan (SSP) If you need any extra help to support your studies, a Student Support Plan (SSP) can be drawn up for you with an advisor from Student Health and Wellbeing. You can contact Student Wellbeing in person, by phone, or an online form, and the link gives all the information.
Nightline Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening and information service run by students for the benefit of students. Contact them any night of term to talk about how you’re feeling or request information about other services. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Nightline is currently only operating its instant messaging service with opening hours 8pm to 2am
And to sign off with a joke…
How did Charlotte Brontë make it easier for everyone to breathe? She created Eyre…
We hope you enjoyed reading the SELLL news. From the Professional Services Staff in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.
