Congratulations to St Hugh’s undergraduate student, Sophie Harrison (Modern Languages, 2021), who has been shortlisted for this year’s Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award. The award, organised by Oxford Prospects and Global Development (OPGDI) and supported by The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH), continues to highlight the exceptional emerging literary talent from across the University.
The OPGDI said, ‘The 2026 shortlist reflects a remarkable breadth of styles and imagination, showcasing the strength and reach of interdisciplinary Humanities at Oxford today.’
Founded in 2019 by Nobel Laureate Professor Mo Yan, the award celebrates original short fiction and Oxford’s contribution to international and cross-cultural literary exchange.
Describing her story, Sophie said, ‘The Music of Mankind is a Gothic short story inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s style and set at the outbreak of the First World War. Through the protagonist’s unsettling encounter with a haunted music box, it explores how the individual confronts the forces of history and the electric, at times unbearable, noise of modernity. I enjoy writing stories which blend the real and the strange, particularly in a steampunk vein! My time at St Hugh’s has fostered my interest in creative writing through the generosity of the Avril Bruten Award and writing workshops.’
Please come along to support Sophie at the awards ceremony which takes place at the Schwarzman Centre for Humanities on Thursday 14 May. Booking details can be found here.
