Residency: BCLT Translation Residencies

The BCLT residencies are designed to be a collaboration between the translators-in-residence and the BCLT, whose main activities focus on the promotion of literary translation both as a professional activity and an academic discipline. We will work with the chosen translators to shape the role in accordance with their individual interests and skills. The residencies give the translators the opportunity to explore an area of literary translation and language that fascinates them, as well as the precious time to translate in a supportive environment.

BCLT translators-in-residence will:

• work with the BCLT in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, UEA, for one day a week (excluding the Spring break), for four months, as follows, 1 February 2026 to 31 May 2026. The residencies can be flexible in terms of whether they are in-person on campus each week or virtually. However, we would expect each translator to come to campus at least once per fortnight (or equivalent) during the residency.
• Contribute to the programme of public events offered by the BCLT, which includes literary translation workshops, as well as research seminars and symposia, in order to extend and enhance the BCLT’s programme, working in conjunction with BCLT staff.
• Seek opportunities for engagement with research staff and graduate students within the School and Faculty more widely, as well as the community of literary translators on the MA in Literary Translation and beyond by organising readings and events related to literary translation.
• Write one blog per month about the experience of the residency at the BCLT to be published on the NewWriting.net website

As translator-in-residence at the BCLT you may also be expected to:

• Lead a student tutorial / workshop for the MA in Literary Translation students at UEA
• Seek opportunities to work with the translation archive at the British Archive for Contemporary Writing, housed in the UEA Library

Person Specification

It is essential for each resident:

• To be a practising literary translator, working with any language(s), based in the UK, and with a project currently in progress, preferably prose fiction
• To have a keen interest in and enthusiasm for the process of translation and cross-cultural dialogue
• To be able to work independently, as well as in a team
• To have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
• To have an interest in research in literary translation studies, with a focus on making a contribution to the BCLT’s research programme
• To have an interest in the professional development of literary translators

It is desirable for each resident to have:

• Some experience of leading workshops
• Some experience of publishing written and online content

A stipend of £3,200.00 is available as remuneration for each residency, intended to cover any travel and accommodation costs incurred during the residency. There will also be a small budget to support developing activities. This stipend may be subject to tax.

How to apply

Please send the following documents:

• your CV
• a covering letter explaining why you are interested in becoming a translator-in-residence at the BCLT (no more than 400 words)
• a proposal (not more than 300 words) outlining what ideas and activities you would plan to pursue during your time as translator-in-residence

Please send your application by 23.59 (GMT) on Monday 3 November 2025 preferably by email to: bclt@uea.ac.uk

Interviews are likely to take place online on Monday 8 December 2025.

Download full details of the BCLT Translators in Residence Scheme 2025/26