Alan Spence appointed to new Creative Writing Chair at Aberdeen University
Aberdeen University has appointed acclaimed writer, poet and playwright, Alan Spence to a Personal Chair in Creative Writing, attached to the School of English & Film Studies. Alan Spence is the first Professor in Creative Writing to be appointed at the University.
Alan Spence is an award winning author of poetry, novels, short stories and plays, who has received awards in each of these genres, including Scottish Writer of the Year in 1996 for his story collection, Stone Garden. Alan has held the post of Writer-in-Residence at Aberdeen for six years and will continue, under his new appointment, to teach creative writing to senior honours students. Alan is also Director of WORD, the successful biennial University of Aberdeen Writers Festival, now preparing for its third festival in May 2003.
Dr Graeme Roberts, Vice-Principal, Teaching and Learning, warmly welcomed the appointment and said: "Much of the success of the last two WORD Festivals is due to Alan’s ability to bring together established writers of international distinction, while at the same time showcasing the work of emerging talents.”
Commenting on his appointment, Alan Spence said: "It is great that the University is continuing to show commitment to creative writing in this way … Aberdeen has already recognised the value and contribution of creative writing to our culture with its commitment to reaching a wide audience through the Word Festival".
Dr Barbara Fennell, Head of The School of English and Film Studies, said: "The department is delighted at Alan's appointment to a chair in creative writing, which will be of great benefit to our students, our staff, the city of Aberdeen and North-East Scotland in general."
Alan is presently working on a number of major projects including two screenplays, one based on his novel, Way to Go and another on the life of Thomas Glover. He has two new books due for publication this year, a poetry collection, Glasgow Zen, published by Canongate and a playscript, 2000 & 3 Estaites (an adaptation of David Lindsay's Satyre of the Three Estaites) published by LTS.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King’s College, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 272014 Fax: 01224 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-272960 or email a.begg@abdn.ac.uk.