From the 14th to the 16th May, 2026, the first symposium of the 7th cycle of the European PhDnet “Literary and Cultural Studies” took place at the Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Graz. Doctoral students from the universities of Bergamo, Gießen, Helsinki, Lisbon, Stockholm, and Warwick travelled to Graz to spend three days discussing their valuable work in progress together with professors and postdocs from various European universities, strengthening connections, and simply enjoying the beautiful campus and city centre. Ahlem Saidani (doctoral researcher at the University of Gießen), for instance, presented her work on Shakespeare’s translations in Enlightenment and Romantic France, and Meeri Pihlström (doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki) gave a talk about her project which centres on ecocriticism in Disney’s adaptations of children’s literature.
Apart from many insightful panel sessions, the participants of the symposium attended two highly interesting keynote lectures: Prof. Anne-Kathrin Reulecke (University of Graz) gave a lecture on humanoid narration in Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun, and Prof. Katharina Scherke (University of Graz) talked about the sociology of emotions, particularly about nostalgia and hope. The programme was further enriched by the thought-provoking master class “Doing Theory: Your First and Last Step Towards Your PhD” by Priv.-Doz. Dr. Angela Gencarelli (University of Hamburg) and a guided tour through the picturesque Castle of Eggenberg.
It was a pleasure to host the PhDnet members and we already look forward to the next symposium in November, which will take place at the University of Warwick!
