The annual Quirk Symposium brought together members and supporters of the Quirk community, opening with welcomes from Professor Stella Bruzzi, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Dr Charlotte Roberts, Academic Lead of the Quirk Endowment.

A metallic wall plaque mounted on a light-coloured wall, reading: “This research room is named after Lord Randolph Quirk (12 July 1920 – 20 December 2017), Quain Professor of English Language and Literature and Benefactor to UCL,” with the UCL logo in the bottom right corner.

Dr Roberts reflected on the impact of the endowment over the past 12 months, during which it has supported seven doctoral students, two postdoctoral fellowships, and four visiting fellowships and lectureships. In addition, £55,000 has been awarded to support 16 research projects led by UCL academics, alongside prizes recognising postgraduate academic excellence. She also encouraged guests to reflect on the role of language within the justice system, and its wider significance for social justice, equity and equality.

Professor Bas Aarts, Director of the Survey of English Usage, then spoke about the life and legacy of Lord Quirk and how this is being honoured at UCL. Most recently, this has included the unveiling of a plaque to mark the renaming of the Survey of English Usage Room in his honour within the Department of English.

It was a pleasure to have Professor Ruth Morgan, Professor of Crime and Forensic Science, Director of the UCL Centre for the Forensic Sciences, and Co-Director of the UCL Arista Institute give our keynote speech. In her address, Languages of Justice, Professor Morgan drew on her work championing interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between the sciences and humanities, to highlight how creative, cross-sector approaches can help tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Reflecting on her research in forensic science, she argued that the key challenge is often not the science itself, but how scientific evidence is interpreted and communicated across different parts of the justice system. Scientists, lawyers and policymakers frequently use the same terms in different ways, creating barriers to understanding. She emphasised the importance of disciplinary translators who can break down these barriers, developing new forms of communication and storytelling that bridge science and society. Such skills, she suggested, are increasingly vital for addressing complex global challenges, from artificial intelligence to environmental sustainability.

The symposium also provided an opportunity to hear from current recipients of the Quirk Endowment, showcasing a diverse range of research projects.

Dr Guyanne Wilson, Quirk Lecturer in English Linguistics and Lord Randolph Quirk Small Project Award holder, presented Language, Literacy and Public Safety: Communicating Early Warnings to Vulnerable Populations in the Caribbean.

Dr Mary Newman, IAS Quirk Postdoctoral Fellow, shared her work on Languages of Evidence: Evident Tongues, Evident Bodies.

Dr Beth Malory, also a Lord Randolph Quirk Small Project Award holder, discussed her project Only Pregnancies and Justice Miscarry: Accountability, Failure, and Blame in Reproductive English.

Person speaking at a lectern in a formal room, with a second person beside them, a presentation screen displaying “Welcome and Introduction,” and an audience seated in front.
Speaker at a lectern during a formal event, with a presentation slide showing a coastal scene and audience seated facing the stage.

‘This was a wonderful occasion to celebrate the research supported by the Quirk endowment, and the community of scholars that it brings together. Lord Randolph Quirk was not only an eminent linguist, but also a lifelong advocate for those experiencing educational disadvantage, including those in prisons and young offender institutions. I’m so grateful to our Symposium speakers for encouraging us to reflect on the role of language in our justice system, as well the importance of language to issues of social justice, equity, and equality more widely.’ Dr Charlotte Roberts

It was also a great pleasure to have Eric Quirk, Lord Quirk’s son, in attendance at this year’s Symposium. He gave a short speech at the end of the day, mentioning that he thought his dad would have found all the talks very stimulating, and thanking speakers and organisers for all their hard work. 

This year’s Quirk Symposium offered a rich programme of discussion and reflection, bringing together members of the Quirk community to explore the theme of Languages of Justice. From keynote insights by Professor Ruth Morgan to presentations from current endowment recipients, the event highlighted the breadth and impact of research supported by the fund, as well as the enduring relevance of language to questions of justice, equity and social change. 

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