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SHAPE was launched in summer 2020 by the British Academy, London School of Economics and Arts Council England. The purpose of the initiative is to mobilise disciplines in the social sciences, humanities and arts in a landscape increasingly dominated by STEM disciplines. One year on, a panel brought together by the Creative Multilingualism research team will explore the challenges faced by languages and the creative arts as interdisciplinary forces of SHAPE, and the opportunities for SHAPE to move diversity up the political and social agenda.
Questions addressed by the panel will include:
- SHAPE, STEAM, and/or STEM?
- How is SHAPE moving us beyond disciplinary silos?
- How can we enhance understanding of the value of languages through SHAPE?
- How can we quantify the value of the creative arts – and should we do so?
- How can SHAPE empower diversity?
- What can SHAPE disciplines contribute to addressing the long-term impact of Covid?
PANEL
Rajinder Dudrah (Birmingham City University, Creative Multilingualism) (CHAIR)
Professor of Cultural Studies & Creative Industries. Rajinder leads BCU’s growing group of creative industry researchers and works with its Institute for Creative Innovation. He is currently negotiating the multidisciplinary challenges of serving on the REF2021 Sub-panel for Area Studies and Sub-panel for Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies.
Patricia Daley (University of Oxford)
Professor of the Human Geography of Africa, Vice-Principal of Jesus College, and member of the University’s Race Equality Task Force. Patricia specialises in forced migration, political ecology and Africa. Named in the Black Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain in 2021.
Claire Gorrara (Cardiff University)
Dean for Research and Innovation for the University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and a Professor of French Studies. Claire is Chair of the University Council of Modern Languages (UCML), which is part of the SHAPE initiative.
Wen-chin Ouyang (SOAS, Creative Multilingualism)
Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature. Wen-chin’s research on Arabic-Chinese literature in the context of Silk Road Studies moves across many disciplines. She is a Fellow of the British Academy, which founded SHAPE.
Matthew Reynolds (University of Oxford, Creative Multilingualism)
Professor of English and Comparative Criticism. Matthew’s innovative concept of ‘prismatic translation’ opens up the concept of language difference. In 2017, he set up the interdisciplinary masters course MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation.
Sophia Tarr (STEAMhouse, Birmingham City University)
Business Engagement Manager at STEAMhouse, a BCU initiative designed to forge connections between the creative industries and STEAM disciplines. It acts as a collaborative innovation hub bringing together inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, academics, designers, engineers and innovators.
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