The Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing (CBCP) is pleased to announce the 4th Postgraduate Symposium will take place on Tuesday, 19th May 2026. This is an opportunity for PhD students and Postdoctoral researchers to present their research, engage in discussions on book cultures and publishing, and connect with a broader academic community within the University of Reading and beyond.
This year’s symposium will explore how archives can be used to reconstruct agency and cultural transmission in book and print cultures. We invite PhD students and Postdoctoral researchers to submit abstracts for 15-minute presentations on topics related to this theme, including but not limited to:
- book production, distribution, circulation and reception
- readership in global contexts
- printing and publishing trade
- book history, typography, and book design
- materiality of text and image (both analogue and digital)
- environmental histories of print cultures and book printing and sustainability
- wider book cultures and publishing with a distinctive global, multilingual, and multidisciplinary focus
- protagonists and professionals of the book market (such as publishers, editors, designers, illustrators, translators, cultural mediators, literary agents, readers)
- recovering of marginalised voices in the archive
- archival silences in book and print cultures
- ethics and the archive
- digital archives and the study of book and print cultures
- the future of archival practices
The conference will offer the opportunity to learn about Reading’s renowned collections in book, printing and publishing history, and facilities and technical expertise to explore the making of type and printing processes. The University of Reading is home to The Archive of British Publishing and Printing, Writers’ and Artists Papers, Lettering, Printing and Graphic Design Collections (includes Isotype, non-latin typeface collection, printing presses, Ephemera, C20 posters).
The deadline for the submission of the abstracts is Monday 23rd February 2026.
Abstracts should not exceed 350 words in length (references and bio excluded) and should include a short bio with details of your affiliation.
Confirmation of acceptance will be sent to delegates in the week beginning 16th March 2026.
This is a hybrid event. However, in-person attendance is highly encouraged. There is no cost to attend. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees.
Abstracts should be submitted by sending an email to: cbcp@reading.ac.uk. Any queries should be addressed to Cristina De Luca (c.deluca@pgr.reading.ac.uk).