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2026 COMMITTEE
BritGrad is run for postgraduate students by postgraduates and alumni of the Shakespeare Institute
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CHAIR
Clare-Louise is a third year, M4C funded, PhD candidate at The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon Avon. She is investigating Shakespeare’s use of the rhetorical devices of word-repetition in dialogue when the devices are shared between two characters. Clare-Louise is a professional theatre practitioner with over 20 years of experience. She ran her own theatre company in North Wales until 2021 and on a freelance basis, she has a close, long-running, working relationship with Theatr Clwyd. Clare-Louise was co-registrar for BritGrad 2024 and has been attending the conference for many years. She is absolutely delighted to be Chairing BritGrad 2026.
SECRETARY
Eleanor (Ellie) is a second-year PhD researcher at the Shakespeare Institute, exploring the afterlives of Shakespeare’s heroines in nineteenth-century visual culture and contemporary digital media. Her interdisciplinary thesis interrogates how the cultural memory of melancholic femininity informs identity formation in girls’ collective and creative practices. As Secretary and joint IT-Coordinator for BritGrad 2026, Ellie supports the organisation and delivery of the conference, helping to create an accessible, friendly, and engaging experience for both in-person and online participants.
REGISTRAR
Paige Calvert is a second year PhD student, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, but has called Stratford upon Avon her home for the last four years. Her research focuses on the implementation and impact of doubling and role-splitting in contemporary Shakespearean performance. As Registrar, Paige is excited to welcome you to BritGrad 2026 (as a delegate or an auditor) and will be happy to answer any questions you have along the way!
IT COORDINATOR
James is a member of the Shakespeare Institute's professional services team and is an MA by Research student in the University of Birmingham’s English Literature department. He is pleased to return this year as one of the BritGrad IT Coordinators. His research area focuses on early modern travel writing, with a particular emphasis on Thomas Coryate’s travelogue Coryate’s Crudities, and he is especially excited about this year's conference theme.
EVENTS OFFICER
Louisa Pickard is a second year M4C PhD student, based between Birmingham, Stratford, and Warwick. Her research is primarily interested in gender, body politics, and the performing arts, and her thesis interrogates menstrual euphemisms in early modern theatre and balladry. As events officer (and lover of a good party), Louisa is excited to be bringing fun, food, and festivities to BritGrad 2026!
PUBLICIST
Áine Maher is a second year PhD student at the Shakespeare Institute and works professionally with theatres as a drama practitioner and facilitator. Her research explores visible representations of morality within Shakespeare's works, across print and production. Overseeing the conference's website and social media, Áine is excited to showcase BritGrad’s renowned ethos to auditors, delegates, and plenary speakers. She is also really looking forward to seeing the responses to this year's theme!
TREASURER
Pauline Sullivan is a Shakespeare Institute Alumni who is so excited to be back as the BritGrad Treasurer. She is extremely passionate about spreadsheets, and Early Modern Drama. Pauline can't wait for BritGrad this year.
