The European Network for Short Fiction Research (ENSFR) is a vibrant, collaborative community dedicated to advancing the study and appreciation of the short story form. Born from a series of international conferences and conversations between scholars and writers, the network was created to connect researchers, critics, and creative practitioners across Europe and beyond. Its mission is to promote and support research into short fiction’s historical, theoretical, cultural, and material dimensions, while also fostering creative practice. The network is inclusive and free to join, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and collaboration.
Origins & Development
The ENSFR was founded in 2014 by Ailsa Cox (Edge Hill University, UK), Michelle Ryan (University of Angers, France), and Elke D’hoker (KU Leuven, Belgium), following years of collaboration at international conferences. Its founding vision was to establish a dynamic, European-focused platform for short story research that would complement existing global networks and foster meaningful connections between scholars and creative practitioners.
The ENSFR is now a community of over 200 members. Our members are affiliated with institutions in more than 25 countries worldwide, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the USA.
Mission & Aims
The ENSFR is dedicated to promoting the study and appreciation of short fiction in all its forms. Its key aims include:
- Promoting cutting-edge research into the historical, theoretical, cultural, and material dimensions of short fiction.
- Facilitating collaboration across institutions, disciplines, and countries.
- Encouraging dialogue between academic and creative approaches.
- Providing opportunities for early career researchers and established scholars alike.
Activities & Achievements
The ENSFR has hosted conferences in cities such as Dublin, Lisbon, Montpellier, and Manchester. These conferences have become vital spaces for exchange, showcasing the diversity and innovation of short story research today.
It collaborates with journals including Short Fiction in Theory and Practice and the Journal of the Short Story in English, helping to publish innovative research and practice-based work.
The network played a central role in the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project Short Forms Beyond Borders, which explored short forms across media, including film, graphic narratives, and digital formats.
The ENSFR also has a writing group that meets monthly, led by Ailsa Cox.
Since 2023, the ENSFR has hosted a monthly reading group for PhD and Early Career Researchers, led by Ines Gstrein. The stories discussed in 2025 include “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx, “Theatre 6” by Sarah Hall, “A Song for Sleep” by Bora Chung , “The Summer People” by Shirley Jackson, “The Custard Factory” by Camilla Grudova, “Birds in the Mouth” by Samanta Schweblin, “Blood” by Janice Galloway and “Tuesday Morning, Kentish Town” by Kevin Barry.
Since 2025, the ENSFR has also hosted a series of online events, including interviews with short story publishers (such as Comma Press and Dahlia Books), roundtables around short story initiatives (the ENSFR’s foundation, and the Save our Short Story Campaign), and academic discussions around specific researchers or writers.
Values & Approach
The ENSFR is inclusive and free to join. It values openness, spontaneity, and a spirit of “guerrilla academia” that embraces flexibility, creativity, and experimentation. The network resists rigid hierarchies and fosters a welcoming environment for diverse voices and perspectives. It celebrates the short story as a global form and aims to keep building connections across borders, disciplines, and communities.
Looking Ahead
Driven by the energy and enthusiasm of its members, the ENSFR continues to grow organically. It remains committed to shaping the future of short fiction research, building new partnerships, and championing the short story as a dynamic and globally relevant art form.
Join us in celebrating and advancing the short story across borders, disciplines, and media.