Victorian Diversities Research Network

The Victorian Diversities Research Network connects researchers, teachers and readers who are committed to diversifying Victorian literary studies. We highlight 19th-century writers of colour and marginalised voices, promoting an inclusive approach to literature that challenges the era’s traditional narratives.

Our mission is to:

• Recover and promote underrepresented writers and stories.
• Share methodologies for exploring race, empire and identity in Commonwealth literature.
• Build a global community of scholars to exchange expertise on decolonising the field.

By engaging with local schools and readers, we also aim to celebrate multiculturalism and highlight the diverse history of British literary traditions.
 

The Victorian Diversities Research Network emerged in response to calls for decolonising and diversifying education following global movements for racial justice in 2020.

Key milestones:

April 2021: Our launch event, Diversifying Victorian Studies: From Theory to Method, featured a lively discussion on teaching non-European texts and challenging Eurocentric narratives.

2023 Events:

• Decolonising Research Practices roundtable with experts from Oxford, York, and the Institute of English Studies.
• Unsettling Victorian Studies workshop at the University of Bristol, exploring global intersections of race, gender, and colonialism in literature.

These events have cemented our mission to teach a truly global approach to 19th-century studies.

We invite educators, researchers and enthusiasts to join the Victorian Diversities Research Network. Whether you’d like to run a reading group, contribute to discussions, or stay informed, we’d love to hear from you.

Be part of a movement to redefine and diversify Victorian studies.