Liam Harrison

Liam Harrison is a Senior Lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, within the College of Arts, Technology and Environment and the ACE – Creative and Cultural Industries department. His work bridges academic research, creative writing, and literary publishing.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Birmingham
• M.Phil., Trinity College Dublin
• B.A., University of Sussex

Liam's research focuses on modernist legacies in contemporary literature, publishing culture, literary magazines, and experimental non-fiction, particularly within British and Irish contexts. He explores how contemporary writers like Rachel Cusk, Eimear McBride, and Claire-Louise Bennett extend modernist innovations in form and voice. His work also investigates the cultural significance of independent literary journals in shaping contemporary literary scenes.

His recent publications include co-editing Rachel Cusk: Contemporary Critical Perspectives (2024), a chapter in The Routledge Companion to Twenty-First Century Irish Writing, and scholarly articles in Textual Practice, Irish Studies Review, and C21 Literature. His creative and critical writing has appeared in The Stinging Fly, The Irish Times, and 3AM Magazine. He is a founding editor of the Dublin-based literary journal Tolka, which publishes formally innovative non-fiction, and co-hosts The Tolka Podcast. His teaching includes modules on publishing, Irish literature, modernism, and creative writing, including the student-run magazine Nova.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• No major awards listed in the provided text.

Liam is actively involved in academic service, serving on the executive board of the British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies (BACLS) and co-founding the Contemporary Irish Literature Research Network. He welcomes PhD supervision inquiries in his areas of expertise. He has prior professional experience in publishing in Dublin, which informs his pedagogy and research. His work demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing emerging writers and interrogating the structures of literary production.

Labs, Teams, and Initiatives:

• Co-founder and editor, Tolka literary journal
• Co-host, The Tolka Podcast
• Supervisor of student publishing through the Nova magazine project
• Co-founder, Contemporary Irish Literature Research Network
• Executive Board Member, British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies (BACLS)