Workshop /CfP - Creative Critical Writing, 28-30 June 2017, University College London, UK

Recent years have witnessed increased interest in innovative ways of conducting and presenting research, what we here term Creative Critical Writing. Distinct from literary or fictional writing, Creative Critical Writing is a research method that treats the form of academic writing as constitutive of its conceptual argument. It draws inspiration from a tradition of thought that includes Plato’s dialogues, Montaigne’s Essais, Nietzsche’s aphorisms, Walter Benjamin’s Denkbilder, Jacques Derrida’s deconstructive play with language, and Hélène Cixous’s écriture féminine as well as more recent experiments with digital media, disruptive translation and various types of situated or performative writing.

In response to these developments, we want to foster a conversation between researchers with an interest in creative critical methodologies. Rather than a usual conference, we aim to organise a practice-based workshop that brings together established academics and young researchers from a wide range of disciplines. Together we will explore the creative aspects of our critical practices and develop imaginative responses to questions that we face in our work.

Creative Critical Writing is often reflected in publication formats that depart from the “standard” academic article, although it also has the potential to become a powerful tool for public engagement and outreach activities. Therefore the workshop will be followed by a public exhibition and a related publication in which the participants are given the chance to present their research in creative critical formats. The exhibition will take place at a central location on UCL:s campus in October 2017.