Michael Symmons Roberts

Michael Symmons Roberts is Professor of Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he teaches creative writing, leads poetry workshops, and supervises PhD research. His work bridges academic scholarship and public engagement, with a focus on poetry’s intersections with theology, science, music, and broadcast media.

His research interests include modern and contemporary poetry (20th and 21st century), poetry and spirituality, poetry and science, and the role of poetry in public life through performance and media. He emphasizes nurturing emerging writers and expanding poetry’s reach to new audiences.

The trends in his creative and research outputs reveal a deep engagement with existential, spiritual, and ethical themes, often explored through formal innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. His works span poetry collections, libretti for major musical commissions, nonfiction explorations of landscape, and radio dramas, reflecting a commitment to poetry as a living, evolving art form.

• Forward Prize for Best Collection (Drysalter) (2013)
• Costa Poetry Award (Drysalter) (2013)
• Fellowship of Royal Society of Literature (2014)
• Whitbread Prize for Poetry (Corpus) (2004)
• Arts Council Writers Award (2007)
• Eric Gregory Award (1988)
• Foyles Best Book of Ideas Award [with Paul Farley] (2012)
• Olivier Awards [with James MacMillan] (2012)
• BBC Audio Drama Awards (2013, 2014)
• Shortlisted for T S Eliot Prize (five times)

Michael Symmons Roberts supervises PhD students in poetry and related fields, fostering research on contemporary poetic practice and interdisciplinary applications. While no specific grants are listed, his work has been supported by major cultural institutions including the BBC, Royal Opera House, and Manchester International Festival. His public-facing projects, such as Engaging New Audiences with Public Poetry, demonstrate a commitment to knowledge exchange and societal impact.

Though he does not lead a formal laboratory, Roberts collaborates extensively with composers (James MacMillan, Emily Howard), broadcasters (BBC), and cultural festivals (Manchester International Festival), forming dynamic creative teams that produce innovative works at the intersection of poetry, music, and performance.