Queering the classroom

Dr Velickovic, Principal Lecturer in the School of Humanities, will join academics from the University of Sussex, Kingston University London and King’s College London for the event, entitled ‘Queering the Classroom’.

The panel will ponder how queer texts can “challenge and enliven” the existing curriculum.

Members of the public can book a free ticket for the event, which takes place on Sunday 15 September from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. It is part of ‘The Coast is Queer’ festival held at The Spire in Brighton.

The festival will bring together writers, performers, academics and activists for a weekend of events, workshops, panel discussions and performances to celebrate queer lives and writing. It is presented by New Writing South and The Marlborough Festival.

Of ‘Queering the Classroom’, Dr Velickovic said: “I have been teaching a module on Queer Writing in the School of Humanities for a number of years and have had some stimulating debates with my students about the LGBTQ+ representation and (in)visibility in the university and school curriculum.

“In light of the recent rise in homophobic and transphobic hate crimes in the UK, having the space to continue these conversations becomes even more important.”

Dr Vedrana Velickovic

The event’s blurb reads: “We will consider the specific challenges that come from bringing discussions of LGBTQ+ texts into mixed classes, as well as the occasional opportunities to teach predominantly queer groups of students.

“How do we talk to each other about sexuality in the context of our uneven power relationships? What does university study allow that doesn’t happen in school? And what kinds of queer connections and world-making are stifled by the university setting?”