Drawing on film, literature, history, art and creative writing, we are offering a series of talks and workshops that will enable you to discover more about identities, genders and sexualities, in a range of different media, countries and historical periods. We will be joined by a well-known writer of YA fiction from our Creative Writing team (Natalia Leibnitz, publishing as N. D. Gomes) to think about characters in fiction, as well as experts in art history, European history, film studies and crime fiction. We will focus on thinking about and discussing gender, sexuality and identity in particular works of literature, art or film, or in particular historical moments. Students will have the option to work on a short creative piece (literature, photography or film) for the end of workshop showcase, and will be invited to a special film screening and discussion.

This workshop will be useful to any student taking History, English or Modern Languages at National 5, Highers or Advanced Highers, but no prior background in these subjects is assumed – the workshop will be enjoyable for any student who likes creativity, debate, and discussion, and who is curious about understanding gender and identity.

Cost: £150

Please note: A minimum number of sign-ups is required for the workshop to go ahead: 7. If there are less than 7 people signed up, the workshop will unfortunately have to be cancelled and the money will be refunded.

Lead: Dr Jacky Collins, Lecturer in Spanish and Latin American Studies at Stirling University and the Festival Director for Newcastle Noir. As ‘Dr Noir’, she regularly interviews crime fiction authors at national and international events. Jacky also hosts a series of author ‘consultations’ on the Newcastle Noir YouTube channel – ‘The Doctor Will See You Now’. More recently she translated Antonia Lassa’s Llevado en la piel (Skin Deep).

Photographs and/or video recordings may be used in print and digital media formats including print publications, websites, film, social media, and for teaching and research purposes. Images on websites can be viewed throughout the world and not just in the United Kingdom and that some overseas countries may not provide the same level of protection to the rights of individuals as EU/UK legislation provides. Some images or recordings may be kept permanently once they are published.