Annual Lecture and Creative Writing Award Ceremony

The 2025 Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award celebrated a landmark fourth year with a vibrant ceremony opened by Sir Malcolm Evans. The competition continues to go from strength to strength, with this year’s entries surpassing expectations in both number and quality. The judging panel, chaired by Christine Gerrard, Director of TORCH, commended the originality and depth of the shortlisted works, noting the pleasure and challenge of selecting from such a strong field. The event reaffirmed the enduring power of storytelling to reflect, challenge, and shape society—even amid rapid technological change and cultural complexity.

The evening began with a warm and heartfelt introduction from Sir Malcolm Evans, Principal of Regent’s Park College, who described the Annual Lecture and Creative Writing Award as a calendar highlight not only for the college but for the wider University community. Sir Malcolm praised all of this year’s entrants for their creativity, noting the impressive growth in the number of submissions year on year—a testament to the thriving literary culture amongst both students and staff, within the University.

 

“Now in its fourth year, the Mo Yan International Writing Centre project continues to exceed our hopes and aspirations. It’s a privilege to welcome so many colleagues and writers to what has become a vital part of this project’s contribution to the university. The growing number of entries reflects the creative energy of emerging writers and the dedication of those who support this initiative.”  

Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, Principal of Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford

 

The Annual Lecture began with a personal and insightful talk by Lisa Appignanesi OBE. She shared the story of her evolving career as a writer, reflecting on the shifting landscape writers face today. A portion of her talk was dedicated to the impact of artificial intelligence on the literary world. Lisa voiced concerns about the use of AI-generated writing, highlighting how this technology often relies on appropriating existing authors’ work without proper attribution or credit. This pressing issue resonated throughout the evening. Notably referenced again in the closing remarks by Shidong Wang, Director of the Oxford Prospects and Global Development Institute, who underscored the uniqueness of the human experience which could not be replicated by A.I.

 

The dialogue between Professor Ankhi Mukherjee and Lisa Appignanesi OBE provided the audience with profound insights into the enduring importance of the ‘immigrant story’ in literature—a theme powerfully woven throughout Lisa’s work in the form of memoir. Lisa recounted poignant stories from her mother’s experiences as part of a Jewish family living under Nazi persecution in Poland, highlighting the lengths taken to survive through changing names and relocating cities to avoid persecution. She reflected on how the search for identity and belonging is a universal human experience, regardless of geographical and cultural boundaries. The conversation focused on the ways in which memoir not only preserves personal histories but also contributes to a collective understanding of displacement and resilience.

 

“I never begin writing with all the answers. Writing, for me, is an act of discovery—it’s the process through which I make sense of my thoughts, my memories, and the world around me. It’s where the personal meets the political, and the imaginative offers insight into truth.”

Lisa Appignanesi OBE FRSL, Chair of the Royal Society of Literature (2016-21), Chair of the Man Booker Prize 2018

 

Lisa rounded off her talk by sharing some inspiring reflections on the art and value of writing. She mentioned her long-standing friendship with renowned author Salman Rushdie, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a habit of regular reading and writing as vital to an author’s growth and creativity. Her words left the audience with a renewed appreciation for the power of storytelling to connect and endure.

 

“We traverse the world through literature, using language to interpret the unmanageable and hyperbolic events of our lives. At the heart of this is the freedom of the imagination—one of the most profound human liberties. It underpins all writing, and in a world where freedoms are increasingly under threat, it’s more vital than ever that we protect and nurture it .” 

Professor Anki Mukherjee, Professor of English and World Literatures, University of Oxford

 

Following this rich discussion, the event transitioned into the presentation of the Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award 2025—an initiative of the Mo Yan International Writing Centre dedicated to fostering literary talent and promoting cross-cultural dialogue between East and West. This year’s competition featured an outstanding range of stories that explored a diverse array of themes, including mental illness, transformation and hope. The variety and quality of entries reflected the dynamic and inclusive spirit of the award.

 

“It was an absolute privilege to read through such an outstanding shortlist. Each story offered something distinctive—whether a lyrical exploration of memory, a searing insight into abuse and resilience, or a deeply imaginative reworking of historical or speculative themes. What united them all was a striking authenticity and emotional intelligence. These are writers who are already shaping the future of storytelling.”

Professor Christine Gerrard, Director of TORCH and Chair of the Final Judging Panel

 

The final judging panel, consisting of Professor Lisa Appignanesi OBE, Professor Christine Gerrard, Mr Mike Tweddle, and Mr Matt Barber, faced the challenging task of selecting winners from this impressive range of entrants. The award for the winner of the Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award 2025 went to Caitlin Upshall from the Research Support Department at the University of Oxford for her story The Birch Tree. The judges praised Caitlin’s work as a beautifully crafted rendition of place and culture, with an unexpected and delightfully poignant ending that resonated strongly with the panel.

 

“I write to capture moments in time and to make sense of those moments, my thoughts, and my feelings later on. It is an absolute joy to know that others were moved by my work and able to step into those moments with me. Writing is inherently solitary, so to be in a space where writers and their works were celebrated was really heart-warming. Winning the Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award is one of the best surprises I’ve had in my writing career, and I’m honoured to have accepted this prize.”

Caitlin Upshall, Winner of the 2025 Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award

 

In addition to the winner, two Runners-Up awards were presented to Miles from Geneva by Patrick Merrigan of Oriel College, and Onset by Taneesha Datta of Kellogg College—both stories noted for their compelling narratives and distinctive voices.

We are delighted to present the 10 shortlisted stories (in no particular order):


Beasts by Dr Tess Little, All Souls College

The Story of a Sign by So Yin Dilys Tam, Regent’s Park College

Dark Brown Is the River by Oli Hardy, St Anne’s College

Superimposition by Phoebe Barnett, St Hilda’s College

Miles from Geneva by Patrick Merrigan, Oriel College

I Am the First Thinker by Dr Raluca David, Kellogg College

The Birch Tree by Caitlin Upshall, Research Services office

God’s Square Mile by Griffin Gudaitis, Linacre College

Onset by Taneesha Datta, Kellogg College

The Book of Abandon by Madeleine Duperouzel, Hertford College

Final Judging Panel - Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award:

  • Lisa Appignanesi OBE FRSL, Chair of the Royal Society of Literature (2016-21), Chair of the Man Booker Prize 2018
  • Matt Barber, actor (Downton Abbey)
  • Christine Gerrard (Chair Judge), Director of TORCH, University of Oxford
  • Mike Tweddle, Artistic Director and CEO, Oxford Playhouse