Where you can find Cake and Death…
Sheffield Gothic is a collective group of postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield with a shared interest in all things Gothic. The group is part of The Centre for the History of the Gothic, and helps to organise events hosted by the Centre, as well as creating and organising the Gothic Reading Group and other events. You may may remember our successful Reimagining the Gothic conferences and creative showcase: Reimagining is a project created by postgraduates at Sheffield Gothic, and we hosted 5 (and almost 6!) annual events at the university (the project has now been rehomed with the Ghoul Guides). Sheffield Gothic also curates the Sheffield Gothic website and blog. We are a friendly team of PhD students, so don’t be afraid to get in touch if you have any questions!
What is the Gothic Reading Group?
The Gothic Reading Group brings together undergraduates, MA students, PhD students, and staff across the University of Sheffield to discuss anything dark, spooky, and, of course, Gothic. We meet a few times a term to discuss a range of texts from film, novels, poems, plays and in relation to the Gothic, which has led to the creation of one of our most used phrases (and hashtags): #ButIsItGothic. Our meetings are relaxed and informal with no requirements beyond an interest (or curiosity in) the Gothic and the time to read our chosen text or watch a film with us . . . then chat about it with some cake. Attendance and membership is completely open and everyone is free to suggest texts or films for discussion. #CakeAndDeath
Other Projects:
In 2016 we hosted a Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon in conjunction with The University of Edinburgh and Wikimedia. The aim of the Gothic themed Edit-A-Thons in Sheffield and Edinburgh was to improve Gothic related content on Wikipedia by gathering both experienced academics and members of the public. Our co-organisers Lauren Nixon and Mary going were also honoured to be invited to the University of Edinburgh for a second Gothic Edit-A-Thon in 2018 (for Robert Louis Stevenson Day), where they delivered a joint paper on ‘The History of Gothic Doubles’ and participated in another Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon.
The Gothic Bible Project
Collaborating with SIIBS at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Gothic founded the interdisciplinary Gothic Bible Project. The project curates a ‘Gothic Bible Blog Series’ which you can find here, and hosted its inaugural ‘Gothic Bible’ conference on 31st October 2017, followed by our much anticipated second conference ‘Buffy and the Bible’ on 4-5 July 2019 and in collaboration with academic academics at Kingston University, the University of Leeds, and independent scholars. As well as academic papers and poster presentations, ‘Buffy and the Bible’ featured a keynote by Professor Matthew Pateman titled ‘Contrary to Popular Mythology: Atheism, Humanism, and the Fiction of Religion in Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘ and a workshop on Buffy and the Torah by Rabbi Leah Jordan. We also collaborated with inclusive arts practitioner Lily Daniels, and you can view a discussion of Daniel’s Biblical Buffy Grimoire and conference art here. To find out more about this project please visit the project website https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/siibs/sresearch/gothic-bible-project or follow us on twitter at: @GothicBible #GothicBible
Gaming the Gothic
In 2018, our Reimagining the Gothic Project spawned Gaming the Gothic, which hosted its inaugural conference on Friday 13th April 2018. Examining the meeting of Gothic and Game Studies, this event was generously funded by WROCAH and also featured a charity games arcade.
How Can I Get Involved?
Sheffield Gothic is keen to explore and support new avenues of Gothic scholarship and interest. If you are interested in the Gothic in any way – be it part of your own research, a new area of research you would like to explore, or simply just something you are interested in – then get involved! Feel free to drop into one of our reading groups or get involved with our regular live-tweeting of each session.
Throughout the year we regularly post content on this site including blog posts, and if you would like to offer your services as a blogger then do get in touch. We’re always looking for contributors to our ongoing blog series, and we’re more than happy to hear your ideas for posts as well! Getting involved with the blog is a great opportunity to try your hand at writing content for web platforms and an extra-curricular opportunity to enhance your C.V. If you are interested in submitting a blog then check out our ‘Blog for Us!’ page or simply drop us an email.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our various events and projects where everyone is welcome to get involved, contribute to the event, or simply come along. Alternatively, if you want to collaborate with Sheffield Gothic then contact us via email.
#GothsAssemble
Sheffield Gothic 