University of Chichester, English and Creative Writing Department

21/05/2026

With an introduction by Dr Naomi Foyle, Dr Daria Mattingley hosted a thought-provoking Q&A with Artem Chapeye this evening, exploring his life as a father, writer, soldier, and pacifist who joined the Ukrainian army in the early days of the invasion. Drawing on the works of Orwell, Nietzsche, and Gandhi as well as his own experiences on the front line, he reflected on how war can change our identity and all that we take for granted.

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ordinary-people-don-t-carry-machine-guns-artem-chapeye/7796677

21/05/2026

Last week’s Creative Writing for Wellbeing session, led by Reader in Creative Writing Dr Suzy Joinson, was described as “excellent and pitched perfectly”. Another participant said, "It definitely put me into deep thoughts, and has given me ideas to add to this ... Very interesting."

Well done to Suzy for bringing her inspiring teaching, creativity and reflection to the wider Chichester community, and huge thanks to Chichester Foodbank for organising and hosting this fantastic event.

14/05/2026

Yesterday, some of our third-year Creative Writing students visited the stunning Kingley Vale as part of the ‘Writing, Environment and Ecocriticism’ module.

A renowned National Nature Reserve, Kingley Vale is famous for its ancient, twisted yew forests, with some trees between 500 and 2,000 years old, making them among the oldest living things in Britain.

This gave the students the chance to engage directly with landscape, history, and environment to enhance their writing and creative processes.

Further reading this week included 'Yews' by Vicki Feaver from The Book of Blood (Cape 2006), course leader Prof. Hugh Dunkerley's 'Natural History' and 'The Tranquility Maps' from his poetry collection Hare (Cinnamon Press, 2010), plus podcast ‘Discovering history and mystery in Kingley Vale in the South Downs’ (https://www.countryfile.com/podcast/history-kingly-vale-south-downs)

We’re so lucky to live and work so close to the inspiring landscape of the South Downs National Park.

13/05/2026

What an amazing way to wrap up our year! 🎉

We celebrated in style with our end-of-year party for all our students, with an extra big thank you to our student-led social media team.

This was followed by our fantastic Publishing Panel event, organised by Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing Karen Stevens, where students learned how to find and impress an agent and take those exciting next steps toward publication.

We still have a few tutorials and essays to go, but for now, it’s time to celebrate!

13/05/2026

Tomorrow (Thurs 14 May) 1-3 p.m.: Writing for wellbeing sessions launch at Chichester Food Bank with our Reader in Creative Writing Dr Suzy Joinson

See the latest news from Your World at https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world

11/05/2026

Professor Fiona Price on Frankenstein!

Check out fionaprice04’s video.

17/11/2025

The Co**se of Accelerationism
Benjamin Noys, Professor of Critical Theory here at Chichester

Benjamin Noys reflects on accelerationism ten years after the peak of its cultural influence.