Conference, ‘Britain and the German Democratic Republic (GDR)’ at the University of Glamorgan (4 – 6 April 2003)

The conference will take place from Friday 4 April until Sunday 6 April at the University of Glamorgan in South Wales. The conference programme brings together both leading experts in the field and of Anglo-GDR relations as well as new, up-and-coming scholars, all of whom are at the cutting edge of a new generation of archival-based studies. The conference will provide a platform for work in progress, which could gain from expert appraisal, as well as for those having completed projects within the subject’s parameters. It is envisaged that the conference papers will be published as an edited volume, making a pronounced contribution to an under-researched field of study. The principal topics for discussion and participants presenting papers include:

• A keynote speech by Professor Ulrich Pfeil (University of Paris) on ‘Cultural Relations between the GDR and the Western Countries’
• Film and Anglo-GDR Relations
  • Professor Bert Hogenkamp (University of Utrecht)
  • Dr Martin Brady (King’s College, University of London)
  • Rosemary Stott (London Metropolitan University)
• Organisational Contacts between Britain and the GDR
  • Professor Stefan Berger and Dr Norry LaPorte (University of Glamorgan): Trade union relations, 1949 – 1990
  • Professor John Sandford (University of Reading): The peace movements during the 1980
  • Dr Peter Thompson (University of Sheffield): The Western Left and GDR Dissidents 1971-1989
  • Dr Anthony Glees (University of Brunel): the Stasi and Anglo-GDR Relations
  • Dr Henning Hoff (University of Cologne): Relations between the British Labour Movement and the GDR, 1949 – 1990
• Regional Relations
  • Damian MacCon Udlah (University College, London): Relations between the GDR and Northern Ireland
  • Professor Marianne Howarth (Nottingham Trend University): Relations between Scotland, Wales and the GDR
• Professional Relations
  • Professor Mike Dennis (University of Wolverhampton): British historians and the GDR
  • Dr Toby Thacker (University of Cardiff): Music and Anglo-GDR Relations
  • Dr Merrilyn Thomas (University College, London): Relationship between the British and East German Churches
• Witness Seminar
  • Peter Johnson (Former Reuters and BBC Journalist): Journalists and the GDR
  • Rainer Oschmann (Neues Deutschland correspondent in Britain during the 1980s): A GDR foreign correspondent during the Thatcher Years
  • John Green (Camera Man and British-born East German News Reporter): The GDR through the lens of a British television journalist (1964-90)
  • Stanley Forman (Film Director and Communist Activist): A life in film between Britain and the GDR
• The Federal Republic and Anglo-GDR Relations
  • Dr. Arnd Bauerkämper (Zentrum fuer Zeithistorische Forschung, Potsdam)
  • Dr. Detlev Nakath (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter bei "Helle Panke zur Förderung von Politik, Bildung und Kultur e.V.", Berlin)

The conference organisers welcome all enquiries concerning participation in the conference and related matters. A full programme and online registration form can also be obtained at the website below.

Contacts:
Professor Stefan Berger & Dr Norry LaPorte