Seminar Series: Free Speech and the Politics of Literature

In partnership with the MK Lit Fest, this series addressed the intersections of literature, free speech and public culture across several themed events held in March–July 2025. 

Literature and Offence

Date: 10 March 2025
Dr Monika Smialkowska discussed with theatre director Mark Rosenblatt whether theatre remains a fit venue for exploring challenging or potentially offensive ideas, framed through Rosenblatt’s play Giant and debate around Roald Dahl.

Listen to the recording (opens Spotify)

The Age of the Algorithm

Date: 17 March 2025
Writer Julia Bell spoke with Philip Seargeant about how AI and platform logics shape style, content and the political economy of literary work.

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Historical Cancel Culture

Date: 24 March 2025
Charlotte Gordon, in conversation with Jupiter Jones, explored how Mary Wollstonecraft’s reputation was attacked after her death and what that history shows about scandal as a weapon.

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Translation and Censorship

Date: 31 March 2025
Sawad Hussain and Monica Cure, with Daria Chernysheva, considered censorship and free speech through Liliana Corobca’s The Censor’s Notebook and Bothayna al-Essa’s The Book Censor’s Library.

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Free Speech and the Politics of Literature

Date: 11 April 2025
At Waterstones Milton Keynes, Aki Schilz, Henry Porter, Sabrina Mahfouz and Dónall Mac Cathmhaoill debated how free speech pressures play out in literary life, from censorship to platforming and silencing. 

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An Evening with Andrey Kurkov: The Literature and Politics of Ukraine

Date: 11 June 2025
Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov discussed literature, language and war, reflecting on writing from the front line and the political stakes of cultural identity.

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