Demystifying Poetry – from 8 to 80

What is "Demystifying Poetry" all about?

Demystifying Poetry is a project originally funded by a British Academy Innovation Fellowship (2023–2026), with Prof. Tara Stubbs as the lead investigator.

This website is a record of the project, but is also designed as a resource to help readers, educators and policy makers think about the benefits and pleasures of reading, and engaging with, poetry. To find out more about the project, its activities and its findings, click the tabs above. There are also two series of the "Demystifying Poetry" podcast available. Click through the Podcast tab to listen to the episodes: each episode tab has a list of useful resources linked to the poets, works, artists and organisations discussed. 


The project in more detail:
The project sprang from a desire to understand why many people are nervous of poetry, including the people who teach it. Recent moves to expand and diversify the poetry curricula are welcome, but only if teachers feel happy about teaching poetry. In classes and public workshops, people can be nervous of poetry at all levels, and this is something they've often had since school; education is lifelong, and learning has lifelong effects. Young children love rhyme – yet adults are often stumped when they're asked about it. "Demystifying Poetry" has enabled Prof. Stubbs to work with others to find out when and why this change happens; to organise workshops to try out innovative ways of teaching and reading poetry; and to record two series (of 12 episodes) of a wide-reaching, engaging podcast. 
If you have an idea for a workshop or a podcast episode, do get in touch.