
One of MERLIT’s aims is to explore the role of literature in relation to social narratives – and to the world, or, in other words: literature’s ‘worldmaking’ aspects. Literature can arguably be a powerful vehicle in our attempts at understanding the world and our ‘dealings’ with it. The Ties That Bind Us series provides occasions to do so in interaction with thinkers, writers, artists and a general public on location in Brussels. With our involvement - as literary scholars - in the series, we hope to show that literature is not merely a passive ‘vessel’ but can be a shaping force, and that much can be learned from engaging with the literary.
Beyond the series, MERLIT’s researchers get involved in a number of outreach activities in collaboration with VUB’s public programme and cultural institutions in Brussels and beyond. They are also involved in the organisation of, and regularly present at, conferences and seminars at VUB and in other academic contexts. Please take a look at our upcoming and past events and engagements listed below:
Forthcoming Outreach
Past Outreach
- Practical info27/08/2025 - 08:30 - 29/08/2025 - 17:00
MERLIT-Associated Researcher participates in CHARM Doctoral Seasonal School in Ghent, August 2025
- Practical info18/07/2025 - 00:00 -
MERLIT Visiting Professor Suzanne Scafe publishes new book: 'Reading to Resist'
- Practical info01/07/2025 - 08:00 - 05/07/2025 - 11:30
MERLIT Researchers participate in ACLALS Conference 1-5 July 2025 @ the University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Practical info19/06/2025 - 09:00 - 20/06/2025 - 17:30
MERLIT Researchers participate in the 'Of Intermediality' Symposium June 2025
- Practical info17/06/2025 - 17:30 - 17/06/2025 - 18:00
Poetry Reading with Uhuru Phalafala
On 17 June at 17:30, Uhuru Phalafala read excerpts from her book 'Mine Mine Mine'. - Practical info29/05/2025 - 11:00 - 31/05/2025 - 14:30
MERLIT-Associated Researcher participates in GAPS Conference 29-31 May 2025 @ the University of Bielefeld, Germany
- Practical info30/05/2025 - 10:30 - 30/05/2025 - 15:00
Game Workshop Day: Sankofa’s Cosmic Adansikro w/ Lisa Abena Osei
The MERLIT Research Team invites you to join a hands-on workshop featuring Sankofa’s Cosmic Adansikro;
- Practical info06/05/2025 - 20:00 - 06/05/2025 - 22:00
This was Caryl Phillips's reading of 'Another Man in the Street' at Passa Porta
Click here to see some pictures!