Dumbledore's Army

That's what we like to call ourselves as we try to make the world a better place.We are the Children's Literature PhD Researchers at the University of Glasgow and there are fifteen of us either currently in or recently graduated from the program. We hail from such far-away lands as Indonesia, Scotland, England, Turkey, China, India, Sweden, and the US, but we all share the same passion for Children's Literature. I'm happy to report that the field of Children's Literature Academia is a growing one, our numbers have recently doubled. Our sister programs at Newcastle and Cambridge University are growing as well.
     The other day our Glasgow group gathered to meet the incoming first year researchers and talk about our fields of study. Fascinating topics range from diversity in children's books to dystopian influences on young adult readers. My thesis has only morphed a little bit, adding the word 'fantasy' into my working title, "Tricksters, Witches, and Warriors: Rewriting a Patriarchal Narrative in Children's Fantasy Literature."
     I hope to participate in NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) or #ACWRIMMO (Academic Writing Month) to put a dent in the 'rewriting' part of my thesis. The original draft of the practice-based portion of my PhD was a child of NANOWRIMO back in 2011, before I put it in a drawer, knowing I needed more education before I could do the story the justice it deserves. And here I am, ready to see it through! Wish me luck!
     It helps to know that I have an army of support behind me!