Keynote speakers

We are deligthed to have five distinguished Keynote Speakers – Susan Bassnett, Jhumpa Lahiri, Lino Pertile, Igiaba Scego and Walter Siti – taking part in the SIS Biennial 2019, Edinburgh, 26-28 June 2019. We are also delighted to announce that Lino Pertile (Harvard – formerly, Edinburgh 1988-1995) will deliver the first Peter Brand Lecture as part of our Conference.

Susan Bassnett

Susan Bassnett is a writer and scholar of comparative literature and translation studies. She is Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Glasgow, and Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature at the University of Warwick.

Jhumpa Lahiri

Jhumpa Lahiri is Professor of Creative Writing at the Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton. She has received several prestigious awards for her writing, including the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for “Interpreter of Maladies”, her debut story collection.

Lino Pertile

Lino Pertile is Carl A. Pescosolido Research Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University, and member of the Accademia dei Lincei, Rome.

Igiaba Scego

Igiaba Scego was born in Rome. She is a writer and a Fellow of the International Centre for the Humanities and Social Change, Venice, Ca’ Foscari.

Walter Siti

A former university professor and literary critic, Walter Siti is a writer and the recipient of many literary awards, including the Strega Prize and the Mondello Prize (2013).