A Mini Conference on the Carnegie Medal

DCU School of English, in conjunction with the MA in Children’s and Young Adult Literature degree programme, were proud to host ‘A Mini Conference on the Carnegie Medal’ with Dr Lucy Pearson (Newcastle University) and Professor Peter Hunt (DCU Adjunct Professor and Professor Emeritus in Children’s Literature Cardiff University, UK) 

First awarded in 1936, the Carnegie Medal is the 'UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book award' for the 'outstanding' children's book of each year. Not surprisingly, 'the decision of the selection committee is seldom universally approved': this mini conference discusses the prize-giving culture, and its value in the children's book system.

Dr Lucy Pearson spoke on how the Carnegie Medal constructed its reputation as 'canon maker', looking at the early years of the Medal and its relationship to the emerging profession of children's librarianship. Professor Peter Hunt spoke about Arthur Ransome's Pigeon Post - the first winner. What made it - and makes it - outstanding?

Well done to our MA students who did a fantastic job of running the mini conference and got a great taste for how conferences run, taking on roles such as chair, discussants, and timekeepers.