The Center for European Studies (CES) at the University of Michigan will host Robert Crawford, professor of modern Scottish literature and Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Poetry at the University of St Andrews, for a Scottish mini-series. Crawford will give public lectures about the September 2014 Scottish independence referendum and the poet T. S. Eliot, as well as a poetry reading during his October 27–29 visit.

“The September 18 Scottish referendum challenged understandings of sovereignty and regional identity and has inspired dramatic response throughout Europe—from Euroskeptics like the UK Independence Party to regional autonomy movements in places like Catalonia,” says Karla Mallette, CES director and professor of Italian and Near Eastern Studies. She adds, “Anticipate a thorough, engaging, and passionate briefing on the referendum from Robert Crawford, who has written poetry in Scots and English and is a scholar of English and Scottish literary history.”

In addition to the public presentations, Crawford will visit a course taught by history professor Kali Israel on modern Scotland and meet with students in the Global Scholars Program. Many U-M units are contributing to this series, including the Departments of Comparative Literature, English, and History; the Global Scholars Program; the Helen Zell Writers’ Program; and the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies. Visit ii.umich.edu/ces/events for the mini-series schedule and full details.

The Ronald and Eileen Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia (WCEE) supports faculty and student research, teaching, collaboration, and public engagement in studying the institutions, cultures, and histories of these regions. WCEE is housed in the University of Michigan International Institute with the Center for European Studies (CES); the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES); the Islamic Studies Program (ISP); and the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies (WCED). Named in honor of Ronald and Eileen Weiser and inspired by their time in Slovakia during Ambassador Weiser’s service as U.S. ambassador from 2001-04, WCEE began operations in September 2008. For more information, visit ii.umich.edu/wcee.