Luke Kennard
Professor of Creative Writing
Department of Film and Creative Writing
Biographical and contact information for Dr Luke Kennard, Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham.
Poetry, prophecy and The Book of Jonah
Professor Luke Kennard's Inaugural lecture
- DateThursday, 13 November 2025, 18:30
- LocationWG05, ground floor, Aston Webb Building (R6), 142 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2TT
Professor Luke Kennard
Luke Kennard started working at the University of Birmingham in 2008, as one of two lecturers in Creative Writing, and has since seen the team grow into a department he’s been grateful to be a part of for the majority of his life as a writer.
In his inaugural lecture Luke will discuss some of the research and thinking (from theology to cultural theory to giant fish) that led to his 7th poetry collection, The Book of Jonah, published by Picador in 2025.
The Book of Jonah' by Luke Kennard
What are the uneasy connections between prophetic speech and poetic outpouring? Between the sacred and the absurd? When we write in response to existing texts, canonical works and lore, what are our responsibilities to the source? And, in the case of Jonah, what are its responsibilities to us?
Location
Address
WG05ground floorAston Webb Building (R6)142 Edgbaston Park RoadBirminghamB15 2TT