Clare Mulley

Thesis Title: The influence of Old Norse poetry upon women poets from the 1950s onwards

Supervisor: Prof. Heather O'Donoghue

Research Interests: Old Norse Literature and Mythology, Medieval Literature, Folklore, Old Norse Literary Receptions, Medievalism, Performance Archaeology, Memory Studies, Creative Academia and Criticism

Following the Victorian and Early 20th Century enthusiasm for so-called 'Vikings,' and later, prominent political and cultural movements which have built upon similar foundations of nationalism and idealised masculinity, there has been an understandable public tendency to consider Old Norse receptions as a masculine domain. My research seeks to fill one major research lacuna in Old Norse receptions, focusing on the influence (and illuminating the importance) of Old Norse mythology in women's writing during the 20th and early 21st Century, in particular regarding the association of Old Norse mythology with power, powerful emotions, nature and alternative religion and culture. 

As a published poet and former children's librarian, with several years of writing, publication and tuition experience, I am also interested in creative scholarship and translation, and the relationship between folklore, literary traditions, performance archaeology and memory studies. I am one of the committee running the Old Norse Poetry in Performance Conference (ONPIP), and am currently developing a creative translation, memory and performance project concerning the eddic poem Völuspá.