Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien is an academic and creative writer at Northumbria University, specializing in early modern literature and creative writing. He holds a PhD in verse drama influenced by Shakespeare and teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. His research focuses on formal poetry, literary adaptation, and fan community archives, with notable projects funded by the British Academy. O'Brien has served as Birmingham's Poet Laureate (2018-2020) and contributes to community writing initiatives in the North East.

Education:

• BA in English and French
• MA in Shakespeare and Creativity (Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham)
• PhD in Verse Drama and Shakespeare’s Influence

Research Interests: O'Brien’s work bridges academic and creative domains, emphasizing:

• Formal poetry and its evolution
• Adaptations of early modern texts into modern media
• Fan communities’ roles in shaping artistic legacies
• Place-based writing and community engagement

His current projects include an experimental novel, a Catholic detective narrative, and a music memoir exploring fan culture around The Mountain Goats.

Awards:

• Society of Authors’ Eric Gregory Awards (2017) for poetry under 30

Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students researching topics like pilgrimage narratives and frequent healthcare attendance. His recent projects include a British Academy-funded study on John Darnielle’s auto/biography and collaborative pharmacy-based osteoarthritis interventions.