About our research

About our research

The Centre for Creative Writing, English Literature and Linguistics (CELL) is one of the UK’s largest English and Linguistics research centres. With over 70 staff, we’re always growing and evolving.

Our work in English aims to go ‘beyond the page’ and turn the traditional view of our subject — quiet, private reading — into an exciting collection of community-facing projects and activities.

Our work in Linguistics aims to improve communication and understanding between individuals, communities, and wider society through public engagement and knowledge exchange.

We’re a hub for literary and linguistic research and practice, and we’re determined to make a real difference to cultural life in Manchester and beyond.

Our successes include:

  • being awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Mother Tongue Other Tongue, our multilingual poetry initiative (2019)
  • developing Manchester Voices, our AHRC-funded community-facing linguistics project (2019-2022)
  • co-hosting the English: Shared Futures conference in 2022.
  • creating the Manchester Poetry Library, the first public poetry library in a British university and England’s first new public poetry library since 1968.
  • playing a central role in Manchester’s bid for UNESCO City of Literature status in 2017
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    Research groups

    Discover the eight areas in which we specialise⁠—covering everything from poetry and the Gothic, to studies of games, films, linguistics and place writing.

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  • Researcher Rob Drummond explains regional accents findings to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham

    Research projects

    Find out about some of our leading creative writing, poetry, linguistics, screen, games, Gothic and place writing studies.

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    Contact us

    Where to find the Centre for Creative Writing, English Literature and Linguistics and how to get in touch.

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    News and events

    All the latest news about the Centre for Creative Writing, English Literature and Linguistics.

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    Study with us

    Find out how you can join the thriving community of researchers at the Centre for Creative Writing, English Literature and Linguistics.

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