Research Group in Biography and Life-Writing Officially Launched

The Research Group in Biography and Life-Writing at DCU was officially launched on 12 December 2024 at the Heaney Lecture Theatre, St Patrick’s Campus, with a lecture by Professor Julia Laite, Birkbeck, University of London.

In her lecture – ‘Sketches of a Life: Shanawdithit, Colonial Newfoundland, and Me’ – Professor Laite explored the effects of colonial expansion and exploitation in Newfoundland, particularly during the early nineteenth century. More specifically, she introduced the audience to the interactions of the Beothuk people with the European colonisers, illuminating the subject by highlighting the life and art of one woman, Shanawdithit. In doing so, Laite pointed to, and reflected upon, her own connection to this history as a Newfoundlander and a descendant of early colonial settlers on that island. The large audience was very appreciate of a lecture that spoke so well to the research focus of the group. They responded to the intellectually stimulating lecture with a range of questions.  

This was, of course, also a celebratory occasion. The launch mark the culmination of considerable work in bringing the Research Group together as well as the beginning of a programme of activities. Reflecting this, the lecture was prefaced by a short speech by Professor John Doyle, Vice-President for Research at DCU, while the President of DCU, Professor Daire Keogh, was also in attendance.