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Leading academics and experts from the University of Birmingham’s School of Arts and Law will give talks at this year’s Hay Festival, covering Shakespeare’s First Folio, the return of children involved in terrorist organizations to the UK and Oscar’s perceived laziness Wilde.

Hay Festival is an annual event that brings together life-changing writers, fabulous stars of stage and screen, pioneers of science and technology, and future world leaders, for a party of ideas and stories. The Festival takes place from Thursday May 25 to Sunday June 4.

This year three experts from the Faculty of Arts and Law will be giving talks.

Religion and Global Security Reader Dr Katherine Brown will argue why all children deserve a more secure future, and that children raised in terrorist environments should be returned to the UK, and why there are no such things as terrorist children. She will explore how, by removing the false distinction of perpetrator and victim from these children, we can create a safer future for all.

Dr. Chris Laoutaris, Senior Lecturer in Shakespeare at the Shakespeare Institute, will celebrate the 400^he anniversary of the publication of William Shakespeare’s First Folio, and explore how this groundbreaking and world-changing volume was put together and published, and how the creators and publishers of the First Folio have shaped how we know Shakespeare today.

Professor Rebecca Mitchell, Professor of Victorian Literature and Culture, will debunk the myth that Oscar Wilde was a lazy writer and that his wit and style went unstudied. Manuscripts have shown that he worked tirelessly at his craft and filled notebooks with drafts and reviews of his famous quotable wits and comments. Rebecca will reveal how much effort it takes to create an effortless image.

Professor Nick Crowson, Director of Research at the School of Arts and Law, said: “The University of Birmingham is delighted to once again be part of the Hay Festival. It provides a fantastic opportunity for our scholars to interact with the festival audience and deliver exciting, thought-provoking and challenging talks on the arts and humanities.”

Julie Finch, Hay Festival CEO, said: “We are delighted to partner with the University of Birmingham and bring their cutting-edge thinking to our Festival audience. This year’s edition is a beacon, an international symbol of hope for the collective and creative imagination and a better future. Throughout the day, our conversations will address and engage with the world around us, seeking solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time while inspiring the next generation of world-changers. And at night we’ll laugh, dance and swap stories in a place like no other. Join us.”

The talks will take place in person at the Hay Festival.

All talks can be found live for free on the above dates on the Hay Festival website or afterwards via a paid Hay Player subscription.

More details about the University of Birmingham talks at Hay Festival 2023 and speaker information can be found online.