Victorian Legacies

Episode 16 - Dr Nicole C Dittmer and Sophie Raine - Penny Dreadfuls and the Gothic In this episode I'm joined by Nicole and Sophie, who have a forthcoming collection called Penny Dreadfuls and the Gothic; or, Investigations of Pernicious Tales of Terror. We chat about how their individual interests in the Gothic emerged, how they came to work together on their collection, and some tidbits about wh...

In this episode I'm joined by Dr Éadaoin Agnew, where we discuss her research into Victorian writers of colour (particularly within India, featuring writers who published in English). We discuss the need for decolonising the curriculum in all areas of the academy, how literary studies is still Western-centric, and how institutional barriers like educational policy problematise efforts to address c...

Episode 14 - Dr Oindrila Ghosh - Thomas Hardy In this episode I'm joined by Dr Oindrila Ghosh where we discuss her extensive research on the works of Thomas Hardy. We discuss how her interest in literature began in her education in India, from high school into PhD and beyond. Particularly, we talk about how broadening the academic field to "non-Western" countries is particularly useful in Victoria...

In this episode I'm joined by Hollie Geary-Jones, where we discuss her PhD project on sex work in 19th century France and England - the differences and similarities in how these people were treated and how they pursued sex work. In particular, we discuss how Hollie's work examines dress, infection (and how sex workers were linked to public health and disease), and performance. TRIGGER WARNING - Di...

In this episode I'm joined by Chris Woodyard, where we discuss how people in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries dealt with death. How death was depicted and discussed in the press (including crude jokes), the issues surrounding funeral costs and the idea of a respectable funeral. We also discuss how mourning crepe was used for political protest and criminal disguise. We talk about how so...

In this episode I'm joined by Dr Jen Baker, where we discuss her interest in the spectral child and representations of the child in death. We talk about how the legacy of these representations in the nineteenth century linger to this day, through angelic suggestions in Facebook memorials, to the horrific representations of the demonic child in horror films. We discuss her upcoming monograph which...

In this episode I'm joined by Samantha, where we discuss her novels, Mr Dickens and His Carol, and the recent Love and Fury! We talk about how her career in screenwriting aided her writing process, how she wrote her first novel, and how the new release celebrates Mary Wollstonecraft. While Wollstonecraft was just outside of the 19th century, we discuss the influence she had on the Victorian era (e...

Episode 9 - Emily Gallagher - Representations of Victorian Women's Dress In this episode I'm joined by Emily, where we discuss her research into the history and representation of Victorian women's dress post-1901. We chat about the ways in which dress and dress objects are preserved and how this has implications for certain narratives of dress - for example, understanding what working-class women...

In this episode I'm joined by Dr Dany van Dam, where we discuss her research into Neo-Victorian works and postcolonial approaches. We talk about how her research interests developed, the Western-centric focus of the field, and how we can consider new ways to broaden the field. About my guest: Dany has degrees in English and History, and a research MA degree in Literary Studies from Leiden Universi...

In this episode I'm joined by Rachel M Friars, where we discuss her research into queer Neo-Victorian works. We talk about diaries and correspondence and how this provides an interesting insight into queer identities (such as Anne Lister), and how neo-Victorianism reflects contemporary anxieties, whilst considering the enduring legacies of the Victorian. About my guest: Rachel is a Doctoral Candid...

In this episode I'm joined by Suzie Lennox, where we discuss her extensive research into the practice of body snatching. She'll tell us about prevention methods, some intriguing tales and escapades of the 'resurrection men', and why she continues to be fascinated by this 'taboo' subject. TRIGGER WARNING: this episode deals with issues around death, graveyards and exhumation so be prepared! About m...

In this episode I'm joined by Brontë Schiltz, where we discuss her interest in the associations between illness and queer experience in Victorian fiction such as Vernon Lee's work, and the explorations of economics in the penny dreadful, The String of Pearls and its adaptations. About my guest: Brontë has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London, and an MA in...

In this episode I'm joined by Dr Helen Davies, where we discuss her previous work on neo-Victorianism and freakery, her current project on Down's Syndrome and neo-Victorianism, and how neo-Victorianism has interested her (and her take on why we're still influenced by the 19th century). TRIGGER WARNING: contains conversation about disabilities, including past (derogatory) terminology for people wit...

In this episode I'm joined by Paulus Linnaeus, a graphic novellist who has published The Demonhuntress series. We discuss how his incredible experiences led him to change career, and how he developed The Demonhuntress series. Our chat centres on his recent publications which centred around Jack the Ripper, as well as the upcoming second full-length volume of the series, which features the Orient E...

In this episode I'm joined by Stephanie Farnsworth, who researches into mutants and body horror in video games. We'll discuss her research and the influences of the 19th century (particularly, the Gothic) in creative works such as video games. About my guest: Stephanie Farnsworth is a PhD candidate at the University of Sunderland, and her research focuses on examining 'mutants' and body horror in...

In this episode I discuss my research interests; what led me into research and neo-Victorian studies. I talk about my PhD project, the texts I am working with, and what thoughts I have about the influence of the nineteenth century. Episode Credits: Episode Writer, Editor and Producer: Emma Catan Music: Burning Steaks (by Stationary Sign) - obtained via EpidemicSound Check us out at the following s...

Look around. What do you see? How do the Victorians continue to influence our lives, our society, our entertainment? Join Emma Catan as we explore the legacy of the Victorians. Where fiction becomes fact. This episode is the series trailer! Join me as I briefly explain why I came up with this podcast, as a way to navigate my learning journey as a PhD researcher in neo-Victorian literature. Credits...