find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Feb. 12, 2020
Strathclyde professor is winner of Scotland’s national book awards
An English Literature professor at the University of Strathclyde has been announced as the overall winner of the Saltire Literary Awards, Scotland’s national book awards.
Professor Kirstie Blair – the Head of Strathclyde’s School of Humanities – received the Book of the Year prize in the Saltire Society Literary Awards, as well as winning the Research Book of the Year category.
Professor Blair received the awards for her book Working Verse In Victorian Scotland: Poetry, Press, Community. This book explores the poetry produced in the Victorian era by working-class people in Scotland, studying a wide variety of largely overlooked writers and examining the political, social and cultural aspects of their work.
Speaking about her achievement, Professor Blair enthuses, “I’m honoured to win these awards from the Saltire Society, and delighted that the judges were impressed by Working Verse. The book studies a wide range of little-known working-class writers and poems from across Scotland, and I’m happy that these awards recognise the richness and diversity of the local and regional culture that I discuss, and might help to bring these writers to further attention.”
She continues, “I had fantastic support in writing this book from colleagues in Scottish studies at Strathclyde and the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling, and also from the Leverhulme Trust, the Carnegie Trust, and the readers and editors at Oxford University Press.”
Speaking about Professor Blair’s book, the Saltire Society explains, “The judges found its accessibility in subject and in its writing profound. The fact that it is an important, significant piece of research did not discolour its enjoyability, with laugh-out-loud moments and fascinating facts. The judges felt a warmth from it and to it.”
Program Director at the Saltire Society, Sarah Mason, says, “Scotland’s National Book Awards 2019 have again shown the astounding literary talent of Scotland and we congratulate all our recipients and shortlistees. As well as being a vital opportunity for the Saltire Society and its partners to celebrate and recognise creativity in literature and publishing, the Awards raise their wider profile both nationally and internationally.”
Professor Blair joined the University of Strathclyde in 2016 and became Head of School in 2018. Her main research expertise is in Victorian literature and culture, and she is also developing research and teaching interests in children's literature from the nineteenth century to the present day.
Find out more about postgraduate study at the University of Strathclyde.
Looking for funding for postgraduate studies? Check out the exclusive bursaries on offer from Postgrad Solutions.
Content added on 12th February 2020.
Most Popular News
-
London Film School achieves historic success at Cannes
April 25, 2024Student films from London Film School have achieved success at Cannes Film Festival for the third consecutive year.
-
Durham University is rated among the world’s best
April 10, 2024Durham University has performed strongly in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, rating among the world's top universities.
-
University of Kent offers International Incorporated Masters
March 26, 2024The University of Kent is offering an International Incorporated Masters to equip students with academic language skills and subject-specific knowledge needed to complete postgraduate study.
-
Durham University has financial support for postgraduate students
March 25, 2024Durham University is a world top 100 university (QS World University Rankings 2024), a welcoming and diverse community in a unique and historic setting.
