From April 25 to 27, 2025, the 15th Annual Conference and Academic Symposium of the British Literature Branch of the Chinese Association for the Study of Foreign Literature (CASFL) was held at Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT). The event was hosted by the British Literature Branch and organized by the College of Foreign Languages & Cultures of CDUT, with support from the editorial departments of Contemporary Foreign Literature, Foreign Literature, Foreign Languages and Cultures, as well as Higher Education Press, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Knowledge Tree Publishing, and other institutions. The conference attracted experts and young scholars from over 50 universities and research institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Nanjing University, Shandong University, Zhejiang University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Shanghai International Studies University, and Hunan Normal University.
Conference Venue
At the opening ceremony, Professor Ju Nengpan, Vice President of CDUT, delivered the welcome address. He introduced the university’s achievements in scientific research, the development of foreign language disciplines, and international promotion of Chinese culture, and expressed gratitude to colleagues from academia for their long-standing support of CDUT’s foreign languages and literature programs. The ceremony was chaired by Professor Liu Yongzhi, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages & Cultures at CDUT.
Professor Ju Nengpan delivering the welcome address
Professor He Ning, President of the British Literature Branch of the CASFL, reviewed the branch’s academic achievements in British literary studies. He noted that the rapid development of science and technology has brought both opportunities and challenges to the field and expressed hope that scholars would engage in deep exchanges on the theme of “Literature and Technology,” exploring new pathways for literary research and highlighting its relevance in the digital age.
Professor He Ning delivering his speech
This year’s conference was themed “British Literature and Technology” and featured twelve keynote speeches. The keynote speakers included Professor Yang Jincai (Nanjing University), Professor Xu Delin (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), Professor Shen Fuying (Shandong University), Professor Wu Di (Hangzhou Normal University/Zhejiang University), Professor Tao Jiajun (Beijing Foreign Studies University), Professor Wang Lan (Shanghai International Studies University), Professor Luo Yimin (Southwest University), Professor Wang Songlin (Ningbo University), Professor Lü Hongling (Nanjing Normal University), Professor Chen Shidan (Renmin University of China), Professor Liu Bai (Hunan Normal University), and Professor Liu Yongzhi (Chengdu University of Technology). These scholars presented insightful reports that explored the integration and development of British literature and technology from various perspectives, offering fresh insights for the innovative development of British literary studies in China. The keynote sessions were chaired and reviewed by leading experts including Professor Wang Shouren (Nanjing University), Professor Ning Yizhong (Beijing Language and Culture University), Professor Guo Xiqing (Beijing Foreign Studies University), and Professor Gao Jihai (Henan University).
Experts delivering keynote speeches
Keynote session chairs and reviewers
On the afternoon of April 26, the conference held parallel sessions divided into twelve thematic panels. The sessions focused on a wide range of topics, including “Technology and Literature,” “Historical and Cultural Studies,” “Literary Criticism and Theory,” “Postmodern Literary Criticism,” “British Poetry Studies,” “Classics and Interpretation,” “New Readings of Texts,” “Studies of Novelists,” “Research on Contemporary British Writers,” “Special Panel on Klara and the Sun,” “Technology and Imagination in Classic British Literature,” “Studies in Literary Thought,” and “Contemporary British Fiction.”
Before the closing ceremony, representatives from the twelve panels presented summaries of their sessions. These included Professor Wang Yiping (Sichuan University), Professor Shu Qizhi (Xiangtan University), Dr. Zhao Jing (Sichuan University), Professor Chen Houliang (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Dr. Yang Peiying (Beijing Foreign Studies University), Professor Zhao Lijuan (Handan University), Professor Zhang Yuejun (Guangxi Minzu University), Associate Professor Tian Xia (Huaihua University), Professor Chen Bing (Nanjing University), Professor Dai Hongbin (Xiamen University), Professor Xu Xiaodong (Hangzhou Normal University), and Ms. Xi Xi (Chongqing University). Each gave a systematic summary of the research outcomes discussed in their respective forums.
The Twelve Parallel Sessions
At the closing ceremony, Professor He Ning delivered a concluding speech, offering high praise for the academic achievements of the conference. He expressed gratitude to all scholars for their contributions and to the organizers for their efforts, and shared his hopes for the future of British literary research. Professor Guo Fengming from CDUT’s College of Foreign Languages & Cultures spoke on behalf of the current host, while Professor Shu Qizhi from the School of Foreign Languages at Xiangtan University spoke as the representative of the next conference host.
This conference brought together a wide range of cutting-edge research in the field of British literature. The presentations showcased not only the expansive academic vision and deep humanistic concerns of Chinese scholars, but also a strong sense of national identity and an open, inclusive spirit that fosters intercultural dialogue. The event provided a high-quality platform for exchange and has given a strong boost to the innovative development of British literary studies in China.
