GoingToMeet

J.R.R. Tolkien is an author who excites diverse critical response from both academia and non-academia. Although best known for The Lord of the Ringsand other tales of his Middle-earth 'legendarium', Tolkien's oeuvre extends to Anglo-Saxon studies (to which he contributed much as an academic), essays on fairy tales, poetry, children's tales and non Middle-earth fantasy.

In recent years academic interest in the fantasy genre has increased dramatically. Likewise fandom studies are developing as fan productions proliferate, particularly since Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.

"The Return of the Ring" is a conference which aims to bring together scholars and researchers from across the globe to share their expertise and interest in any Tolkien-related area of study such as linguistics, fantasy, literature, education, media & culture, fandom etc. It will also be a gathering of musicians and artists inspired or influenced by Tolkien, and of those interested in any aspect of Tolkien and his work. The conference will include several academic streams as well as other events and is run by The Tolkien Society, the long-established literary society devoted to the promotion and understanding of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.