Events and Exhibitions — Centre for Culture and Heritage

23 September 2022
In association with the National Archives

Popular historian and television presenter, Lucy Worsley was in Ipswich this week to chat about her new book as the University of Suffolk launched its Centre for Culture and Heritage.

She took part in a livestream National Archives talk in partnership with the University of Suffolk about her new biography, Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman and took questions from the live audience and online fans overseen by Jamie Bernthal-Hooker, a Visiting Fellow at the University, and an internationally recognised authority on Christie.

Guests also queued to have their own copies of Lucy’s book signed at a drinks reception which formed part of a day held at The Hold to celebrate to launch of the University’s Centre for Culture and Heritage.

An afternoon public symposium also focused on the Queen of Crime and her life and Jamie was joined by fellow Christie experts Sarah Martin, PhD researcher at the University of Chester, and co-organiser of the Agatha Christie and the Golden Age of Crime Conference, and Benedict Morrison, lecturer in literature at the University of Exeter and contributor to the Bloomsbury Handbook of Agatha Christie, to discuss a range of points about the author’s life including marriage, archaeology, success and the infamous year of 1926 when she disappeared.

Dr Amanda Hodgkinson, Associate Professor English and Creative Writing at the University of Suffolk said: “In line with our centre's mission to champion and value culture and heritage across the UK and beyond, the University of Suffolk partnered with The National Archives in London for the Lucy Worsley evening, livestreaming the event to well over 1000 viewers.  

“The Centre intends to hold regular events throughout the year and aims to inspire a pride in our history and culture through research, exhibitions, events, education, and outreach activities.

“Being able to partner with the London National Archives and share our wonderful launch evening with viewers from around the world was a particular pleasure.

“For me, this exciting event with historian, author and much-loved TV presenter Lucy Worsley, is an example of the ways in which the centre intends to connect with communities regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Also commenting on the success of the events, Jamie Bernthal-Hooker said: “It was a joy to celebrate the launch of the Centre for Culture and Heritage with such a fun and rewarding event.

“The atmosphere was one of curiosity and pleasure, and there was a real buzz in the air as we thought about a very famous writer in new ways.

“In the evening, national treasure Lucy Worsley shared her infectious enthusiasm for Agatha Christie, and brought her life and history alive. What a wonderful way to start the academic year.”

18 January 2023
Public Lecture at the Hold — 4.00–5:30pm

How do you research when the archives are closed? Dr Jamie Bernthal-Hooker spent much of the COVID-19 lockdowns compiling a 300,000-word critical companion to the published and unpublished works of bestselling crime writer Agatha Christie. The companion seeks to provide the last word on everything the world-famous ‘Queen of Crime’ ever wrote, including exclusive insights into stories and letters that have never been seen by the general public. However, with access to libraries and archives cut off, and an ever-looming deadline, he drew on his own lifetime of research and a network of peers to make sure everything was covered.

In this talk, Jamie explains the research hurdles and opportunities they presented. He also shares surprising insights into Agatha Christie, unearthing secrets about the world’s most popular novelist that have never been shared before.

Dr Jamie Bernthal-Hooker (J.C. Bernthal) is a Visiting Fellow in Creative Writing at the University of Suffolk. A specialist in queer theory and the fiction of Agatha Christie, he is the Dove Award-winning author of numerous volumes including Queering Agatha Christie and Agatha Christie: A Companion to the Mystery Fiction.

2 March 2023
Symposium at The Hold, Suffolk Archives, Ipswich

Evening reception to view Landscape Rebels exhibition at Christchurch Mansion

Join researchers from University of Suffolk, Anglia Ruskin University, University of Southampton, California Institute of Technology, and Tate to look at new research, contemporary readings, and shifting perceptions of watery landscapes in art, science and digital technology. 

Close Look, Distant View coincides with Colchester and Ipswich Museums Landscape Rebels exhibition featuring artworks by Turner, Constable and Monet alongside global stories about the climate crisis at Christchurch Mansion (22 October 2022 to 16 April 2023) and Suffolk’s Green Story exhibition (4 February to 18 May 2023) at The Hold, Suffolk Archives, Ipswich.

Close Look, Distant View is organized by Dr Jane Watt and Dr Susan Barnet (both School of Engineering, Arts, Science and Technology, University of Suffolk) in collaboration with Emma Roodhouse (Colchester and Ipswich Museums) and in partnership with The Hold Suffolk Archives. It is supported by Suffolk Climate Change Partnership and the University of Suffolk.