An Emeritus Professor at the University of the West Indies, Professor Morris is the author of several volumes of poetry including The Pond (revised edition 1997), Shadowboxing (1979), Examination Centre (1992) and On Holy Week (1993).  He has also edited The Faber Book of Contemporary Caribbean Short Stories and published numerous essays across his long career.

Professor Morris has made an invaluable contribution to the development of Caribbean literature, both in his creative writing and as an editor, teacher and scholar, and his appointment as Jamaica’s first Poet Laureate in over fifty years speaks to his significance as a writer and public figure.  In 2009, Professor Morris was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Merit.

The Bristol Poetry Institute was founded in 2012 with the aim of bringing together scholars, students, poets and poetry-lovers across the University of Bristol and the wider community and forging links both domestically and internationally to promote discussion and debate on poetry in all its forms.  Its annual readings have previously featured Carol Ann Duffy (2012) and Sir Andrew Motion (2013).

This year's reading, which will take place on Friday 10 October in the Great Hall of the Wills Memorial Building, has been made possible by generous support from the Public and Ceremonial Events office, BIRTHA, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Fund.

For more information, please contact Professor Daniel Karlin, Director of the BPI: daniel.karlin@bristol.ac.uk