Sietse discusses his experience presenting at 27th Biennial IRSCL Conference
On June 24, 2025, I presented my research on horror and trauma in children’s literature at the 27th Biennial IRSCL Conference at Spain’s historic University of Salamanca. While my PhD thesis examines these themes within Indian children’s literature using a postcolonial lens, this presentation broadened the scope of my research. I analysed three Young Adult novels through frameworks of disability studies, indigenous studies and diaspora studies. My aim was to highlight the healing potential of horror and trauma across diverse fields within children’s literature scholarship. Moreover, I met many prominent academics from the children’s literature scholarly world and significantly increased my network. I was also happy to see my previous supervisor and many other familiar faces and friends from the tight-knit and friendly community of children’s literature researchers. I was honoured to attend and present at this prestigious international conference thanks to the support of the School of the Arts by receiving the Jardine Awards which funded my research trip.