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Translating Cultures: Theme Overview Adam Walker Strategy & Development Manager, Languages and Literature 9 February 2012 Translating Cultures • Need for diverse cultures to understand & communicate better with each other • Role of ‘translation’ & cultural interactions in ensuring that languages, values, beliefs, histories & narratives can be mutually shared and comprehended • Cultural understanding in a globalised economy & society: diplomacy, peacekeeping, cultural interactions, business growth, community relations, diverse societies • Translation not just from one language to another, but from one medium to another, e.g. from verbal to non-verbal art forms • Experts in specialist non-European languages & language-based area studies Strategic Questions How can research into languages and cultures: 1) Contribute to our understanding of, and progress in, international diplomacy and engagement in the context of increasingly multi-polar interactions and emergent global and inter-regional relations? 2) Develop our understanding of contemporary issues and interactions such as youth culture, popular culture, inter-generational relations and diasporic culture and of written and oral culture both in the past and in the context of digital media and communications? 3) Contribute effectively to key public policy concerns such as economic growth, security, immigration and the environment and how can this support the work of NGOs, 3rd Sector organisations and other bodies including community groups concerned with language and inter-cultural issues? 4) Help to build capacity and develop understanding of the process and nature of translation and interpreting across cultures, dialects and sectors (e.g. government, business, communities)? Activity to Date • Appointment of Advisory Group • Highlight notices in Networking & Fellowships • Research Development call: – 30k FEC, 6 months – Networking / collaborative activity – 2 ROs, 1 non-RO – Responding to 1 of the 4 questions – 11 projects funded – Sample non-RO partnerships: Association of Welsh Translators & Interpreters, Nottingham Galleries of Justice, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, Royal Court Theatre, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution Forthcoming Activity • Refinement of questions • HERA Cultural Encounters call • Appointment of Leadership Fellow • 2-day Development Workshop, May / June 2012: • Development Funding applications: Summer 2012 • Allocation of development awards: Autumn 2012 • Applications for large collaborative projects: Spring 2013 • Commencement of large collaborative projects: Summer 2013 Items for Discussion • Any general questions / thoughts? • How do we encourage new and innovative proposals? • How do we encourage applications from all subject areas within AHRC’s remit? • How can the theme help to build capacity in key subject areas? • How do we encourage new partnerships both across disciplines and from outside of academia?