Beth Howell - PhD candidate based in the Department of English, University of Exeter - will be exploring the poetics and politics of Anna Kingsford, an anti-vivisectionist and ardent vegetarian.

By engaging in a close examination of Kingsford’s poetry and prose, Beth will consider how far her arguments reflected or rejected wider attitudes and anxieties about animal consumption in Victorian Britain, before considering how this might bear relevance in our own cultural climate today.

Finally, she will consider whether poetry still allows us a means to express discontent, or to incite change.

Doors 1pm / Talk 1.10pm - 2pm

Cost: Free (Drop in / Spaces limited)

Accessibility statement: The Institution is committed to improving its accessibility, and we welcome all visitors to our public events. However, we are transparent about the access limitations that the size, location, and historic nature of the building can occasion, and readily acknowledge that we are in a period of transition.

The main entrance to the DEI, (facing the Cathedral), has double doors, and is accessible for most wheelchairs. From this entrance there is level access to the foyer, and to the inner and outer libraries. We apologise for the current lack of lift access to the South Range rooms on the second floor.

As we are a small building, parking is limited, but a space can be pre-booked by contacting the office by phone: 01392 274727, or by email: office@devonandexeterinstitution.org. Priority will be given to blue badge holders. The side door into the inner library should be accessible for most wheelchair users reaching the DEI from the driveway, or the front entrance can be reached through the side door at the end of the driveway. Please do contact us if you have any further questions about your route into the DEI.

There are toilets on site, though the nearest fully accessible Changing Places toilet can be found in the Princesshay Shopping Centre, at the back of Nationwide.

The library is usually a quiet space, though can be louder during events. A timetable for events can be found on the website. If you require a quieter space, please ask a member of staff.

If sounded, the fire alarm makes a repeated sound of two tones, and flashing lights will go off in the reading room and the toilets. On an ordinary day, ringing phones and door buzzers might also be heard.

Lighting is soft throughout the building, and may be low in certain areas.

Assistance dogs are welcome, and staff will be happy to provide water for your dog.