Creativity and Physical Activity, 21 Jan 2021

Date: Thursday 21 January 2021, 13.00-16.00

Location: Online

'Writing novels and running full marathons are very much alike'

– Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Organised by the Creative Arts and Design Catalyst, this training event builds on a research group at Stirling University which combines academics in Creative Writing and in Sports Studies. It is intended to be of interest to any PhD researcher working in the creative arts who makes use of physical activity in their process and/or as respite from their work; particularly those who might be interested in integrating that physical activity within their practice, e.g. through psychogeographic exploration or performance pieces.

'The activity is repetitive, mechanical... It facilitates a state of mind that allows some but not too much of the unconscious to bubble up' -- David Byrne, Bicycle Diaries

The opening session will have an introduction from Dr Liam Bell to a pilot study, conducted in 2018, which explored the links between Creative Writing and Physical Activity and, from there, will advance into a short demonstration of exercises that can be useful for the desk-bound researcher, from Dr Gemma Ryde, expert in interventions in sedentary behaviours/lifestyles. Participants will then be divided into groups and given the opportunity to explore their own practices/routines, in a semi-structured discussion led by our facilitators.

'I became less intent on walking to 'get away from it all' and more interested in walking those paths that beat with a human resonance' -- Linda Cracknell, Doubling Back

The event will conclude with a roundtable discussion which will invite leading Scottish writers Kevin MacNeil and Linda Cracknell to explore the ways in which physical activity has proven itself integral to their own creative practice.

Any enquiries about this event should be directed to liam.bell@stir.ac.uk. 

Registration deadline: Friday 15 January 2021.

Unfortunately this event is now sold out. 

First published: 2 December 2020