The essay competition is open to all graduate students currently registered for an MA or PhD in Victorian Studies. Preference will be shown to essays with a clear interdisciplinary focus, i.e. those that consider Elizabeth Gaskell within contemporary Victorian cultural, aesthetic and scientific debates, or else, through recent critical theory. Essays that treat Gaskell's work in more traditional ways, but which nonetheless demonstrate a compelling style and focus, are also very much welcomed. In all cases, clarity of argument and expression is paramount.
The winning essay will be published in the 2012 edition of the Gaskell Journal and its author will receive £200 from the Gaskell Society, as well as a year’s free subscription to the journal.
Essays should be no longer than 7,000 words and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. The closing date for the essay prize is April 30, 2012.
Essays will be judged by members of the Gaskell Journal Editorial Board, with the final decision being made by the International Editor, Prof. Jill L. Matus.
Please see the Gaskell Journal website gaskelljournal.com for further submission details.