Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award Shortlist 2026
The Oxford–BNU Creative Writing Award, organised by OPGDI and supported by TORCH, continues to highlight exceptional emerging literary talent from across the University. The 2026 shortlist reflects a remarkable breadth of styles and imagination, showcasing the strength and reach of interdisciplinary Humanities at Oxford today.
Founded in 2019 by Nobel Laureate Professor Mo Yan, the Award celebrates original short fiction and Oxford’s contribution to international and cross-cultural literary exchange. This year’s competition attracted an outstanding range of submissions, notable for impressive creativity, originality, technical skills and a diverse range of narrative styles.
Following careful consideration by the judging panel, we are delighted to announce the shortlisted stories (in no particular order):
- Bua by Aditi Upmanyu, Brasenose College
- Sanguenay by Hugo Zachary, St Hilda’s College
- Crawlers by Joanna Wang, Exeter College
- The Record is Complete by Harishiga Ilangovan, Jesus College
- The Music of Mankind by Sophie Harrison, St Hugh’s College
- The Hat by Francesco Pio Rahe, St Anthony’s College
- The Great Aba Miracle Crusade by Joshua Chizoma, Wadham College
- Deliveroo Meditations by Dr Dominic Burbridge, Regent’s Park College, Senior Research Associate of the Department of Politics & International Relations
- The Three Kings of Trinity Hill by Hannah Eggleton, Keble College
- An Uncomfortable Dictionary by Aya Ambiguous Wang, Hertford College
The winner will be announced at the Award Ceremony, which will take place at the Schwarzman Centre for Humanities on 14th May 2026.
Please book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oxford-bnu-creative-writing-award-ceremony-2026-tickets-1985904108648?aff=oddtdtcreator
We warmly congratulate all shortlisted writers and thank everyone who submitted work this year.
Shortlisting Panel
- Professor Sandie Byrne, Professor of English, University of Oxford
- Dr Daisy J Hung, author of I Am Not a Tourist, Head of EDI, MPLS Division
- Caitlin Upshall, Winner of the Oxford–BNU Creative Writing Award 2025
Judges’ Comments
The judging panel praised the overall standard of submissions as exceptionally high. The shortlisted stories were described as “beautifully written” and “original,” with several noted for being “striking and visceral.” Others stood out for their “emotional intelligence” and “poignant, believable and effective storytelling.”
The judges found this year’s entries both compelling and inspiring, reflecting a rich and varied literary landscape. We look forward to celebrating these outstanding writers at the upcoming Award Ceremony.
The Final Judging Panel will include:
- Professor Elleke Boehmer FRSL – Professor of World Literature in English, University of Oxford; Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing at Wolfson College
- Professor Sonia Antoranz Contera – Professor of Biological Physics, University of Oxford; and Fellow of Green Templeton College.
- Professor Wes Williams – Professor of French Literature, University of Oxford; and Fellow of at St Edmund Hall; former Director of TORCH (2020-2023)
- Frank Wynne – Chair of Judges for the 2022 International Booker Prize; Award-winning translator; Winner of the 2022 Dublin Literary Award.
