About the centre

The Centre for Comparative Literature and Translation is a world-leading interdisciplinary hub for research into the interrelated movement of texts, languages, people, and objects across cultures and borders. It focuses on the systemic and mutually enriching interaction between the two disciplines, informed by emerging developments in critical theory, and within a truly multilingual environment.  It thus offers a space in which researchers can investigate phenomena and address challenges that are by their nature interlingual and intercultural.

Mission Statement

The core aims of the Centre are:

  • to pursue world-leading interdisciplinary research through competitive funding bids, attracting exceptional researchers to our Centre and supporting the internationalisation agenda.
  • to educate and enhance the career development of new generations of scholars through our teaching and postgraduate support in terms of respect for cultural diversity and global citizenship;
  • engage with external stakeholders and non-academic audiences, capitalising on opportunities offered by the University of Glasgow's new Advanced Research Centre.

SMLC is unusual in offering taught Masters programmes in both Comparative Literature (MLitt) and Translation Studies (MSc) and is home to a growing number of PhD students in these areas. It has hosted a very successful annual PG conference in Comparative Literature and Translation for the last 10 years. 

External engagement

Our mission to combine Comparative Literature and Translation in collaboration with non-academic partners means that are well-placed to inform and influence external stakeholders, nationally and internationally, in publishing, translation practice, theatre,  NGOs, museums and other areas of the cultural industries, as well as literary archives, including digital. At the same time, and conversely, we recognise and value the extent to which these external collaborators enhance our research. The Centre aims to become a catalyst for emerging impact activity in Modern Languages.