Special interest group:
Adaptations

Convenor:

• ​Christina Wilkins (University of Birmingham)
  
• Andrew Watts (University of Birmingham)
  

Overview

Adaptation has always been central to the screen industries, but adaptation has been seen as a research area on the fringes of film, television and screen studies. The field has been growing in recent decades, with scholarship from theorists such as Thomas Leitch, James Naremore, Linda Hutcheon, Kamilla Elliott, Deborah Cartmell and Imelda Whelehan being crucial in developing the field. There are key debates which continue to dominate the field, indicating the need for continued discussion and development of thought in the area of adaptation studies. Adaptation raises questions outside the realm of film and its closely associated discipline, literature, asking us to rethink our understandings of concepts such as originality, creativity, and value. The breadth of questions to which adaptation studies turns its attention, and the persistence of the key debates that structure the field, indicates the need for continued discussion and development of thought in this area. This is why scholars continue to immerse themselves in adaptation and its study; the interdisciplinarity and the changing approaches to theoretical concerns mean it is an exciting area in which to be involved. Equally, there is an exploration of relations across other media including television, comics, videogames, and theatre, providing a breadth of approaches vital to new ways of thinking. This special interest group represents scholars from a range of career points who are focused on adaptation, including those who are adopting a practice-based approach. It seeks to build a stronger network within the broader BAFTSS community and offer another avenue of connections for those interested in adaptation. It is also interested in building connections between SIGS as some of our members may be part of multiple groups, which could offer fruitful outcomes. It also has connections with the Association for Adaptation Studies (AAS).

Reports on activities

​Reports will appear here.

Founding members

• Christina Wilkins, University of Birmingham 
• Andrew Watts, University of Birmingham 
• Megen de Bruin-Mole, University of Southampton 
• Ronan Hatfull, University of Warwick 
• Sam Summers, Middlesex University 
• Robert Munro, Queen Margaret University 
• James C Taylor, University of Warwick 
• Anna Blackwell, University of Nottingham 
• Madeleine Hunter, University of Cambridge 
• Kate Griffiths, Cardiff University 
• Erin Sullivan, University of Birmingham 
• Miriam Kent, University of Leeds 
• Zoe Crombie, Lancaster University
• Ben Broadribb, University of Birmingham 
• Daniel Varndell, University of Winchester