EX: Indigenous Heritage in London: New Journeys Through Old Landmarks (with Prof.’ Helen Gilbert)

Over the last 500 years, indigenous peoples from many parts of the world have visited or lived in London – as captives, dignitaries, entertainers, servants, soldiers, athletes, artists and more. This 5-day excursion focuses on their significant but largely overlooked contributions to the city’s vibrant arts, heritage and cultural sectors. As well as exploring key exhibits and installations at the British Museum, the Tate, the Horniman Museum, the October Gallery and/or the National Maritime Museum, we will devise walks visiting iconic sites in precincts of the city that have hidden indigenous histories. Subject to availability, an indigenous theatre or music event will be scheduled as part of the excursion, with a Q&A afterwards.


EX: The London Stage: Immersive Performances (with Prof.’ Neumeier and Dr.’ Sarah Youssef)

From May 4th until May 8th students will have the opportunity to see and discuss several current productions of the London theatre scene. Venues include the Globe Theatre, National Theater and the Royal Court as well as tours of the Victoria & Albert Museum, and a visit of the National Portrait Gallery. With an emphasis on immersion, we will also immerse ourselves in numerous interactive and participatory events.


The application process is identical for both excursions. Please submit your motivational letter of 800-1000 words in which you outline why you would like to join us on the excursion and what your expectations are. Please submit your letter formatted according to the MLA Handbook for Writers by January 28th 2020 to Dr.’ Sarah Youssef (sarah.youssefuni-koeln.de) and/or Prof.’ Helen Gilbert (helen.Gilbertrhul.ac.uk). Additionally, we would kindly ask you to send a copy to the student assistants (hkneumeiergmail.com).
Costs Approx. € 400,- excluding travel to London. These fees include accommodation (incl. breakfast), all shows and workshops.
Payment #1 of € 250 by February 6th, 2020
Final Payment of € 150 must be transferred by March 9th, 2020

In December 2019 Prof. Dongfeng Wang, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, and Prof. Dejin Xu, Head of the English Department, Sun Yat-sen University, visited the University of Cologne. To discuss further cooperations there were meetings with Prof.'in Beate Neumeier (English Seminar ), with Prof.'in Dr. Anke Ortlepp (Vice Dean for International Affairs) and with Dr. Stefan Bildhauer and Dr.'in Susanne Preuschoff (International Office).

The focus of this lecture series will be on the aesthetics, techniques and forms of immersive experiences. We will look into different forms of immersion across various media, from the theatre and art installations, to film and television, to gaming and theme parks.

We are delighted to announce that our colleagues Prof. Benjamin Beil (Institute of Media Culture & Theatre) and Prof. Øyvind Eide (Department of Digital Humanities) from the University of Cologne will be giving lectures along with our Australian guests Prof. Paul Arthur (Edith Cowan University) and Prof. Paul Pickering (Australian National University).

The Centre for Australian Studies welcomes Prof. Anna Haebich (Curtin University). Her lecture on “‘History is a Verb not a Noun’ Jen Buchananan 2017” takes place on Wednesday, 9 October 2019, 12:00-13:30 in S69, University of Cologne.

Anna Haebich is a Distinguished Research Professor at Curtin University. In her publications she focuses on Indigenous studies, performing and visual arts, natural history and climate change, crime and gender, and assimilation, migration and race. Her latest book Dancing in Shadows Histories of Nyungar Performance (2018) has recently been shortlisted in the History section of the 2019 Australian Prime Minister‘s Literary Awards.

The Centre for Australian Studies kindly invites you to the DAAD-funded interdisciplinary workshop on “Immersion, Heritage & Site-Responsive Performances” on Thursday, 09 May 2019. Organized by Prof. Helen Gilbert and Prof. Beate Neumeier, this workshop aims to stimulate dialogue on the concept of ‘immersion’ and explores its potential as a heuristic tool in current humanities scholarship with a particular focus on material heritage and socially engaged arts. All are welcome to attend and join the presentations and discussions.

At the start of Helen Gilbert’s DAAD-sponsored guest professorship at the University of Cologne, the Centre for the Australian Studies and the Global South Studies Centre, Cologne, are hosting a one-day workshop entitled “Australian Studies and the Global South” on Tuesday, 09 October 2018. After a short reception and welcoming words by CAS and GSSC, we are happy to welcome the following speakers and topics:

• Helen Gilbert (Royal Holloway University, London), Indigenous Resurgence and Environmental Justice on the Global Stage.
• Bill Ashcroft (University of NSW, Sydney), Art, Utopia, Transnation
• Jamal Barnes (Edith Cowan University, Perth), The Hollowing Out of the Hospitality Principle – Australia’s Response to “Boat People”

We kindly invite all colleagues and interested students to participate in the event.

09 October 2018, 11.30-15.30 pm

University of Cologne, New Seminar Building, Tagungsraum