An American scholar noted for transporting Shakespeare into the digital age is the first to take a special visiting professor’s chair at The University of Queensland (UQ).
UQ has chosen Professor Peter Donaldson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the inaugural Lloyd Davis Memorial Visiting Professor in Shakespeare Studies.
Professor Donaldson, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Director of the MIT Shakespeare Electronic Archive, will take up his position next month, when he participates in the UQ-hosted VIII World Shakespeare Congress in Brisbane.
The visiting chair was created to honour the memory of the late Associate Professor Lloyd Benjamin Davis (1959-2005) who was instrumental in attracting the Congress to Brisbane – the first Southern Hemisphere venue in the Congress’s 30-year history.
Dr Davis was expert in the field of Early Modern (or Renaissance) English literature and drama. Professor Donaldson has since the late 1980s focused on Shakespeare on film and on the Shakespeare Electronic Archive, which includes electronic texts, digital images of the 1623 Shakespeare First Folio and a Hamlet art collection.
“I`m deeply honoured by this appointment, and look forward to my visit to The University of Queensland with great enthusiasm,” Professor Donaldson said.
“Shakespeare studies have become more vital than ever in the age of global digital communication.
“I`m especially grateful for the opportunity to discuss Shakespeare and his place in contemporary media with you on the eve of the exciting World Shakespeare Congress.”
The UQ English Department’s Dr Peter Holbrook said Professor Donaldson’s involvement would span beyond the Congress (July 16-21).
“He will also present a public lecture on ‘Shakespeare and the Digital Age’ at UQ on Thursday, July 13, and conduct a master class at UQ on Shakespeare and film/new media and present a public lecture on Friday, July 14,” Dr Holbrook said.
“This will involve UQ staff and post graduate students and also members of the English Teachers Association of Queensland.
“He will consult staff throughout the University, sharing expertise on new ways of studying the text, image and film records of Shakespearean publication and production using multimedia.”
The Lloyd Davis Memorial Visiting Professorship in Shakespeare Studies was set up this year in UQ’s School of English, Media Studies and Art History.
Funds have been provided by the Davis family, the UQ Vice-Chancellor, the UQ Faculty of Arts and the UQ School of English, Media Studies and Art History. As well, more than $4,600 was donated by friends and colleagues of Dr Davis, who attended a special screening of In Search of Mozart at the Schonell Theatre at UQ in March this year.
“The object of the Professorship is to bring one distinguished international scholar in the field of Shakespeare studies to UQ each year, to teach and share their scholarship with UQ Shakespearean scholars and students,” Dr Holbrook said.
“Professor Donaldson will teach in the coursework Master of Shakespearean Studies program and contribute to the research work of the Early Modern and Drama Studies groups within the Faculty.
“The master class on Friday July 14 should be attractive to all who are interested in the study and teaching of Shakespeare, either in schools or universities.
“It will include several introductory “mini-lectures” by Professor Donaldson, group discussion of a number of film sequences from recent films, some “hands-on” defining and annotating clips, and exploration of pedagogical and curricular implications.”
For enquiries regarding Professor Donaldson`s visit contact Dr Peter Holbrook (English, UQ): P.Holbrook@uq.edu.au or Ms Cathy Squirrell: c.squirrell@uq.edu.au
For more information on the VIII World Shakespeare Congress go to: www.shakespeare2006.net
Media contacts: VIII World Shakespeare Congress Senior Program Manager Melissa Western (telephone 07 3365 1125, melissa.western@uq.edu.au), or Fiona Kennedy at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 1088, mobile 0413 380 012).
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