The New Chaucer Society provides a forum for teachers and scholars of Geoffrey Chaucer and other writers of his age.  The biennial conference is a chance for members to come together and discuss their research relating to his work.

The event is being held at locations across the University campus and more than 300, predominantly American, delegates are expected to attend. 

The previous Congress was hosted by Fordham University in New York City so winning the bid to host the 16th NCS conference provides an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of MEMO and establish it as a centre of excellence.

Members of the NCS will be presenting 200 papers over the course of the week.  There will also be panel discussions, workshops, poetry readings, and a special performance of “The Rap Canterbury Tales” by Canadian rapper, Baba Brinkman. 

Brinkman has a master’s degree in Medieval Literature and as a teenager decided to combine his love of hip-hop music with his studies.  “The Rap Canterbury Tales” has gone on to win multiple awards and as a result Brinkman now travels the world performing rap versions of Chaucer’s stories, such as “The Franklin’s Tale” to students, academics and professionals.

Professor Helen Fulton, Head of the School of Arts at Swansea University, said: “We are delighted to be able to host the NCS conference at the University. 

“The programme is very exciting and this is our chance to showcase Swansea as a dynamic campus for postgraduate and postdoctoral study.”

In addition to the presentations, delegates will also have a chance to experience local medieval history by exploring the historical sites of Swansea and the Gower Peninsula. 

For further information about the New Chaucer Society Conference, please visit
http://www.chaucer.swan.ac.uk/

For further information on Swansea University’s School of Arts and MEMO research centre visit http://www.swan.ac.uk/arts/research/memo/ and for further information on The New Chaucer Society visit http://artsci.wustl.edu/~chaucer/index.php .