Louise Welsh in conversation with Jenny Niven | In -person

Delve into Scotland’s rich literary world as two iconic women come together to share insights, anecdotes, and revelations about their creative journeys. They will explore the nuances of genre, the intricacies of the creative process, and the profound influence of Scottish culture on their work.

Professor Louise Welsh FRSE, acclaimed for her bold stylistic choices and cross-genre flexibility, debuted in 2002 with The Cutting Room, garnering critical acclaim. A member of the Royal Society of Literature since 2018, Welsh now teaches Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow.

Cultural producer and director Jenny Niven has spearheaded various influential literary festivals, including the award-winning Push the Boat Out. She was named in The List’s ‘Hot 100’ people influencing Scotland’s arts and cultural landscape in 2022.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness the intersection of these literary powerhouses as they explore the creativity that defines their distinguished careers.

Every year, the Royal Society of Edinburgh explores a key topic through its 'RSE investigates' series, engaging community leaders and experts to tackle pivotal questions. This year, we investigate Scotland's creative industries, examining their role as a catalyst for change and how they help to address contemporary challenges. As Scotland's National Academy, we celebrate interdisciplinary expertise that fosters innovation across sectors like art, literature, technology, academia, and culture. This year’s series highlights the importance of supporting libraries, celebrating literary traditions, understanding architecture's role in identity, and exploring Scotland's impact on countercultural creativity.

SPEAKER

Professor Louise Welsh FRSE

Professor of Creative Writing, University of Glasgow

Louise Welsh is the author of ten novels, including The Cutting Room, The Plague Times Trilogy and To the Dogs. She has also written several operas with composer Stuart MacRae - with her libretto for Ghost Patrol shortlisted for an Olivier Award. In 2014, she was co-director of the Empire Café, an award-winning exploration of Scotland’s relationship with the North Atlantic slave trade. She has received numerous awards and international fellowships, including honorary doctorates from Napier University and the Open University. Louise is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Literature and is currently a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow.

CHAIR

Jenny Niven

Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival

Jenny is a leading cultural producer and director who has worked with a range of influential literary festivals in Scotland and internationally. She is the founder and Director of the award-winning Push the Boat Out, a festival of poetry, spoken word and language; Executive Producer of Dandelion, an epic programme of sowing, growing and sharing across Scotland, and was previously the Head of Literature at Creative Scotland. She was named in The List’s ‘Hot 100’ people influencing Scotland’s arts and cultural landscape in 2022.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Info on any distressing content / support links
• Accessibility Statement: We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or any questions about how we can support this event, please contact the RSE Public Engagement team on [email protected]
• Covid-19: In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 we kindly encourage participants to continue to wear face masks if they feel comfortable to do so; use the hand sanitisers provided at the venue; and to stay at home if they have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

Host or Publisher The Royal Society of Edinburgh