The Centre for Poetic Innovation addresses poetry and poetics creatively, critically and historically, promoting and studying poetic innovation in a broad sense of both terms, from poetry as traditionally understood to poetic aspects of visual and material art forms, of prose writing as well as interactions with music, dance and digital poetry. The key aims of the Centre are:
- Hosting speakers, workshops and conferences
- Support and development of doctoral and post-doctoral research
- Public engagement and impact activities
- Joint Research Grant applications and research projects
Upcoming event
Keju vs Jueju: Classical Chinese Poetry, Cosmology, and Power
by Dr Jonathan Stalling
6 October 2026, 5-7pm – UCO: School I
This event is a collaboration with the Department of Chinese Studies
In this lecture, Dr Stalling will explore the relationship and tensions between Classical Chinese ‘regulated verse’ as a testing diagnostic and as a mode of personal lyrical expression.
The lecture will be followed by a wine reception (UCO54)
Dr Stalling is the Director of the David L. Boren School of International Studies at the University of Oklahoma, where he holds the Harold J Newman Chair of US-China and is Professor of International and Area Studies. He is the Director of the Institute for US-China Issues, where he directs The Newman Prize for Chinese Literature, The Newman Prize for English Jueju, the journal Chinese Literature and Thought Today (Routledge), and the CLT book series (University of Oklahoma Press).
Dr Stalling’s interdisciplinary work sits at the cross-section of English-Chinese translation studies, poetics, linguistics, literature, and philosophy. Dr Stalling is also the creator of the English Jueju, a novel system for teaching Classical Chinese poetic forms in English. One can follow this work and learn the form here: www.juejupath.com
‘Carving Dragons: Composing Classical Chinese Poetry in English’: A workshop with Jonathan Stalling
6 October 2026, 3-4pm- ARB: 220 – Arts Seminar 5
In this workshop, Professor Jonathan Stalling will lead participants on a brief nature walk followed by guided writing exercises to compose classical Chinese poetry, but in English.
This workshop has a limited capacity and requires participants to register in advance. It will be followed by Professor Stalling’s public lecture titled ‘Keju vs Jueju: Classical Chinese Poetry, Cosmology, and Power’. All welcome!