Postgraduates
Postgraduate Study Days
Report on the 2010 ASMCF Postgraduate Study Day
The sunny terraces and comfy lounge of Old Whiteknights House, home of the Graduate School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Reading, were the setting for the 2010 ASMCF Postgraduate Study Day. Delegates and speakers were welcomed with good coffee and excellent biscuits, getting the day off to a flying start.
The day began with a short introduction by Dr Steve Wharton, Honorary Secretary of the ASMCF. Dr Joan Tumblety, co-editor of Modern & Contemporary France, then gave some valuable practical advice concerning the world of academic publishing for postgraduates, looking not only at journal publishing, but other forms accessible to students. Having recently submitted his thesis, Matthew Moran, last year's ASMCF Postgraduate Officer, was able to give extremely encouraging talk about the vicissitudes – and eventual success – of completing a thesis. His watchwords were 'contact, discipline, perspective'. Dr Sophie Heywood, recently appointed lecturer in French at the University of Reading, was then able to move the discussion to the next stage. She spoke of the many ways of preparing self and CV to be in the best position to succeed in interview. Following more coffee and biscuits, two postgraduates, Ellie Sutcliffe from Bangor University and Chloe Jeffries from Merton College, Oxford, gave two interesting and useful talks, the first on using the Bibliothèque nationale, and the second on using French archives. Archives and libraries are idiosyncratic and potentially baffling places, thus having some insider advice before visiting was reassuring.
Following an excellent and copious lunch, five postgraduates from the UK and Ireland gave research papers on their studies. For some it was the first time they had spoken outside of their home institutions; we hope we were a supporting audience! Michelle Harrison from the University of Liverpool gave an excellent paper on Alsatian, German and French language teaching at primary level in Alsace; the journey then continued with a paper from Sheila Walsh from NUI Galway looking at Saint-Simonian Thomas Ismayl Urbain's experiences in Egypt; encounters with the 'other' were equally prevalent in Victoria Harrison's (University of Birmingham) paper on girls' perceptions of German soldiers in Occupied France. Following questions and more chat over tea and coffee (and the return of the profiteroles), the final session consisted of two literary papers. Jonathan Lewis from the University of Exeter spoke about ideas of visibilisation and invisibiliation in contemporary Francophone literature by authors of Algerian origin, and Sara Leek (QMUL) turned our attention towards the use of language in the experimental forms of Linda Lê's texts, dealing with madness and exile.
The Study Day provided a wonderful opportunity for postgraduates at different stages of the PhD process to come together, listen, talk and participate, to share their experiences, make new friends or useful contacts. The atmosphere – as ever – was friendly and welcoming, and drinks and dinner at a local pizzeria topped off a super day.
I would like to thank everyone for coming, all the speakers for their hard work, my two marvellous helpers for setting up and clearing away the food with me, and the Graduate School of Arts and Humanities, Mrs Helen Apted in particular, for providing us with such a wonderful venue. Together with all the other postgraduates, I would also like to thank the ASMCF for continuing to support the activities of postgraduates in French studies, enabling those of us from smaller departments to meet and build networks of friends and colleagues across the country.
Lindsey Dodd
ASMCF Postgraduate Officer
l.a.dodd@reading.ac.uk
Report on the 2009 ASMCF Postgraduate Study Day
Institut français, 21st March 2009
The 2009 Postgraduate Study Day proved to be a great occasion that brought together postgraduate students from various institutions across the United Kingdom and Ireland. After the opening address by Dr Steve Wharton, Hon Secretary of the ASMCF, the day began with a number of practical papers relating to various aspects of the PhD process. Ellie Sutcliffe, a doctoral student at Bangor University, spoke about the common challenges faced by many PhD candidates and offered suggestions on how to deal with these challenges. Dr Christine Knoop, who recently completed her doctorate at University College London, gave an extremely useful presentation on the final stages of the PhD process. Dr Joan Tumblety, co-editor of Modern and Contemporary France, then offered valuable advice on academic publishing.
The afternoon sessions moved away from the practical side of things and gave a taste of some of the research projects currently being carried out by doctoral students in the UK and Ireland. Topics ranged from French politics to Franco-Canadian literature, with presentations on the expectation of war, translating Surrealism and identity issues in Maghrebi migration completing the programme. The speakers all gave very engaging papers, with the range of research topics being presented making for interesting and very enjoyable listening.
The entire day took place in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere that is characteristic of ASMCF events; contacts and friendships were made alongside stimulating conversation and debate. The day finished over drinks at a local bar where speakers and participants all agreed that the Irish rugby team had put on a fantastic display!
As Postgraduate Officer, I would like to sincerely thank all the speakers and participants for their contribution to a great day.
Matthew Moran
Report on the 2008 ASMCF Postgraduate Study Day in London
The third ASMCF postgraduate study day took place on Saturday February 16th 2008 at the Institut Français in London. The day was attended by 32 participants, of which 9 speakers.
Maggie Allison as Membership Secretary began proceedings by briefly introducing the association and enumerating the aims and benefits of becoming a member. The morning session was the devoted to practical issues charting the different stages of the PhD journey from start to finish. Ruth Kitchen of Leeds University gave a lively and informative session on ‘Starting a PhD’ with an excellent summary of the literature surrounding the topic twinned with personal insights and philosophical musings. Mark Sawchuk of the University of Berkeley followed, with a highly personal and amusing account of how to negotiate the French public archives, packed with vital information.
Jackie Clarke, the executive editor of MCF then advised on the issue of publishing, covering general points involved in approaching peer-reviewed journals and encouraging copy for MCF! Recently appointed as a lecturer at the University of Lancaster, Charlotte Baker rounded the morning session off with a useful account of the transition period from PhD to first academic job.
The afternoon session was dedicated to more traditional academic papers with keynote speakers Nadia Kiwan of the University of Aberdeen and Ruth Cruickshank of Royal Holloway addressing the pertinent and contemporary topic of Paris and cultural representation. Excellently chaired by Owen Heathcote, Nadia concentrated on the city's relationship with transnational artists' networks and Ruth on representation of the city through recent film. After coffee, the final session saw Matthew Moran of UCL speak on the police de proximité and Delphine Grass, also of UCL, give an examination of Charles Fourier and Michel Houellebecq's representations of sexuality.
The day concluded just after 4pm and conversations continued and contacts were made over drinks and crêpes in the Kensington Crêperie. This event proved useful and enjoyable for all, with participants expressing their gratitude for a day which combines 'mini-conference' sessions with practical advice. Many thanks to speakers and participants for engaging so enthusiastically and to all those who made the day possible.
Helena Chadderton
19th February 2008