Events
Research seminars
The English and Linguistics Programme runs a regular seminar series featuring postgraduates, faculty, and guest scholars.
For details on upcoming seminars or to be added to the seminar mailing list, contact:
Email english@otago.ac.nz
Margaret Dalziel Lecture
The Dalziel Lecture is the signature event in the English and Linguistics Programme.
The annual lecture was established in 1981 to honour Professor Margaret Dalziel. Dalziel was the first female Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Otago, she was Head of the English Department (and its first female professor). She also taught and mentored some of Aotearoa's most prominent literary figures.
Margaret Dalziel Lecture – The Letter Twisted: Jane Austen’s Love Spells
Speaker: Professor Clara Tuite, University of Melbourne
The 2025 Margaret Dalziel Lecture will be held on Friday, 31 October at the College of Education Auditorium.
Recent and upcoming events
Latest news from English and Linguistics
25 Mar 2026
Otago subjects among the best in the world
Four University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka subjects have been ranked in the top 50 globally.
14 Dec 2025
Takatāpui writer paving the way for community
Essa Ranapiri (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Pūkeko, Te Arawa) has become the first Māori PhD graduate from the University’s Engl...
11 Dec 2025
Looking at literature that goes 'against the grain'
Have you ever thought that maybe the world is not quite as it seems?
08 Dec 2025
Graduation and directorial debut make for a December Wonderland
Graduation won’t be the only stage close friends Penelope Hare and Tobias Devereux share this December.
07 Nov 2025
Supervisor with ‘super positive vibe’ takes top award
Dr Bridie Allan has won the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) Overall Supervisor of the Year Award for 2025.
17 Oct 2025
Life becomes art in short story collection
Fatherhood has provided some of the inspiration for PhD candidate John Prins’ recently published book of short stories.
17 Oct 2025
Last minute entrance, lasting impact: Otago tauira ready for national stage
A last-minute entrant with a passion for poetry, an Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka student has given herself the opportunity to pe...
26 Aug 2025
Book on the rise of Pacific literature shortlisted for Literary Encyclopedia Prize
A book co-authored by Professor Maebh Long, Otago’s Eamon Cleary Chair in Irish Studies, has been shortlisted for a Lite...
24 Aug 2025
First PhD globally on Rotuman literature
From Rotuma to Fiji, and now to the University of Otago, Mere Taito’s graduation with a PhD in English marks what is bel...
20 Aug 2025
Focus on studies pays off
Laura Waretini (Ngāti Maniapoto) graduates this Saturday 23 August with a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in Engli...
24 Jul 2025
Creative writing collection launched
The University of Otago’s creative writing competition celebrated two exciting milestones yesterday – the launch of a sp...
16 May 2025
A digital poetic regeneration of archival multilingual Rotuman texts
PhD candidate Mere Taito is believed to be the first person to hand in a thesis written on early 20th century multilingu...