Liam Knight – PhD English Literature

English Literature PhD student Liam Knight helped organise and presented at the Critical Orwell Conference. We found out more about what he gained from participating in this event and his experience as a researcher at the University of Birmingham.

What was your involvement in the Critical Orwell Conference?

My involvement in the Critical Orwell conference was threefold. First, I assisted the Events Team with running the conference over Zoom, such as admitting participants and overcoming technical issues. Second, I chaired a number of panels at the conference, welcoming and introducing delegates, ensuring that panels proceeded in a timely fashion, and fielding questions from the audience during the Q+A portion of the panels. Last, I presented my own paper at the conference, a prospect that was equally as exciting as it was daunting, given that many world-renowned Orwell scholars were present!

What benefits do you think participating in the conference has had for you from an academic perspective?

Participating in the Critical Orwell conference has already been enormously beneficial. The insightful questions and constructive feedback that my paper received has already enabled me to consider how my research can be further refined and developed. Furthermore, I have already received contact from a few of the academics present at the conference, which has prompted further discussion and follow-up questions, as well as potential collaborative endeavours in the near future.

What professional development skills have you enhanced from working at the conference?

Working on the Critical Orwell conference allowed me to further develop my familiarity with Zoom and using it to host online conferences. Chairing panels also enhanced my communication skills.

Why did you choose to undertake research at the University of Birmingham?

I chose to undertake research at the University of Birmingham because of its excellent reputation, the brilliant supervisory team I have managed to construct, and the beautiful campus.

What are the best things about your course?

The best thing about my course is the support from my supervisors. They are each an expert in their respective fields, which has been incredibly beneficial to my research. Their pastoral care has also been top-notch; they don’t just care about me as a researcher, but me as a human being.