Robert Sheppard, Professor of Poetry and Poetics and Programme Leader for Creative Writing at Edge Hill, has made an important contribution to the field of Linguistically Innovative Poetry (LIP) through his research, poetry and work as a critic.
Robert’s poetry is critically acclaimed, he has written a number of books, is regularly published in magazines and performs his work across the country including at Chapter and Verse Festivals, Liverpool Tate Gallery and Knives, Forks and Spoons readings in the North West. His work has exposed poets and critics alike to LIP, creating an appreciation of an often neglected field of British poetry.
Through his work as a critic, reviewer and poetry organiser he has helped to establish the careers of a number of up-and-coming poets by exposing their work and nurturing their development. He is the editor of the Journal of British and Irish Innovative Poetry and the blogzine Pages, he regularly reviews poetry books and initiated the Poetry and Poetics Research Group (PPRG) at Edge Hill.