Literary Celebrity and Political Persona

Writers and writers’ organisations have persistently used their public standing and ‘cultural capital’ to promote causes that transcend the literary sphere, from gender equality to free expression, anti-war agitation, and environmental issues. This panel explores the political impact of authorship in an age of celebrity advocacy and how academic institutions, prize-giving bodies, publishing industries, and digital media shape this impact. With David Marshall, Professor of New Media and Cultural Studies at Deakin University; Rachel Potter, Professor of Modern English Literature at the University of East Anglia; and Kirsty Gunn, acclaimed novelist and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Dundee.