Liz Bahs

Dr. Liz Bahs is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Programme Director for the BA English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Surrey. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing (Royal Holloway, University of London) and MA/BA qualifications in English Literature and related fields from the University of Sussex and University of Florida. Her research focuses on polyphonic poetry sequences, multi-narrativity, and hybrid literary forms, with a forthcoming monograph The Polyvocal Poetry Sequence: Answering Eliot (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025). She has published poetry collections like Stay Bones and Greyhound Night Service, and her work appears in journals such as Magma and Wasafiri. Bahs is a founding member of the Multi-Narrative International Research Association and actively collaborates on narrative studies projects internationally.

Education:

• PhD in Creative Writing (Royal Holloway, University of London)
• MA English Literature: Sexual Dissidence and Cultural Change (University of Sussex)
• BA (Hons) English Literature and Creative Writing, with Associate degrees in Women's Studies and World Religions (University of Florida)

Research Interests: Polyphonic poetry sequences (e.g., Jackie Kay, Gabrielle Calvocoressi), multi-narrative media forms, creative nonfiction, and the intersection of music and literature. Her work explores how fragmented narratives create cohesive meaning, with a focus on contemporary poetry's dialogic structures.

Awards:

• Highly commended in Mslexia Women’s Poetry Competition (2015)
• Magma Judge’s Prize (2014)
• Wasafiri New Writing Prize (2013)

Supervision & Grants: Currently supervising PhD candidates Trevor Datson (Andalusian Sonata), Leah Fryer (A Lifetime with Camille), and Rosie Ngure (Outrageous Women of Acacia). Collaborates with scholars globally through the Multi-Narrative International Research Association.

Labs/Teams: Co-founder of the Multi-Narrative International Research Association (University of Kiel) and active member of the British and Irish Association for Narrative Studies. Organized the Surrey New Writers Festival (2018-2021) and is the Academic Lead for 2022-23.