Caster Fellowships in Poetry return to the University of Leeds
The relaunch coincides with the rebranding of Poetry@Leeds (formerly the Poetry Centre), marking a renewed focus on creative practice, literary scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration
The University of Leeds is delighted to announce the return of the Caster Cultural Fellowships in Poetry, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to poetry as a site of creative practice, research excellence and public engagement.
Funded through the generosity of alumnus Douglas Caster (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1975) and his wife Lizzie Caster, the Fellowships provide emerging poets with sustained time to develop their creative practice while playing an active role in the intellectual and cultural life of the University. One fellow will be recruited each year over five years. Appointments are fixed term for up to two years, with a minimum of one academic year.
The Caster Fellowships are open to poets at a relatively early stage in their careers who have already achieved significant public recognition and show strong potential for future distinction. Fellows are supported to develop new work, collaborate with academic and cultural partners, engage with students through teaching and informal events, and contribute to public-facing activities such as readings, workshops and exhibitions.
Professor Kimberly Campanello, Director of Poetry@Leeds, poet and Lecturer in Creative Writing at the School of English, said:
“The return of the Caster Fellowships in Poetry is an exciting moment for Poetry@Leeds and for the wider research and creative community at the University. The Fellowships create rare and valuable space for emerging poets to develop ambitious new work, while placing creative practice at the heart of scholarly exchange, teaching and public engagement.
“We are deeply grateful to Douglas and Lizzie Caster for their continued generosity and belief in poetry as a vital, research-active art form that connects writers, students and audiences in meaningful ways.”
Douglas Caster said:
“Poetry has a unique capacity to challenge, connect and help us see the world differently, so I am pleased to help ensure that the University of Leeds remains a place where emerging writers are given the time, support and freedom to develop their work and share it with new audiences.”
Since its inception, the Fellowships have attracted an outstanding line-up of poets to Leeds, including Professor Helen Mort, Professor Anthony Vahni Capildeo, Dr Malika Booker and Dr Zaffar Kunial, all of whom have contributed to the University’s reputation as a leading centre for contemporary poetry.
The relaunch coincides with the rebranding of Poetry@Leeds (formerly the Poetry Centre), marking a renewed and research-led focus that brings together creative practice, literary scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration. Poetry@Leeds builds on the University’s exceptional poetry legacy, including internationally significant poetry holdings in the Brotherton Library, and a vibrant contemporary community of poets and researchers based in the School of English.
Leeds is home to a distinguished group of poet-scholars, including Professor John Whale, Professor Kimberly Campanello and Dr J.R. Carpenter, alongside a wider network of researchers working across poetry, poetics and performance. The Caster Fellowships sit at the heart of this ecosystem, creating opportunities for dialogue between creative practitioners, scholars and students across the arts, humanities and sciences.
The window for applications for the Fellowships is now open.
