Ali Smith Study Day 2026

Ali Smith Study Day in Cambridge

Sunday 13 December, 2.00-5.00 pm

Ali Smith is one the of the most ambitious and influential contemporary writers at work in English today. She is also a persuasive advocate for women’s writing, literature and visual art, and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

During this in-person study day, we will study two recent works by this popular and acclaimed author.

Autumn (2016) is the first novel of the Seasonal Quartet – a landmark in the contemporary novel – which responds to the post-Brexit referendum zeitgeist of 2016 with artfulness and compassion. Meanwhile, So in the Spruce Forest (2025) is a creative, essayistic exploration of Edvard Munch’s artworks through a virtuoso and personal ghost story.

Smith is especially interested in the dynamic ways in which literature and art can offer new perspectives on contemporary experience and society. Erudite, punning, playful, and experimental – Smith’s writing often defies categorisation as it revels in the freewheeling possibilities of language and storytelling.

Join us in person in Cambridge for an intensive study afternoon with with lectures and a seminar over 3 hours, led by Alex Calder, University of Cambridge. Tea and biscuits will be provided.

Set Reading

Ali Smith, Autumn (2016)
Ali Smith, So in the Spruce Forest (2025)

Course fees (include 20% VAT)

£95.00 full price

£85.00 CAMcard holders

£85.00 Students / low income