Professional Summary: Professor Paul Eggert
Professor Paul Eggert is a distinguished scholar and academic at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. With a prolific career in literary studies and textual scholarship, he has made significant contributions to the fields of Australian literature, editorial theory, and the digital humanities. His work is widely recognized for its depth and innovative approaches to textual editing and literary history.
Academic Background and Degrees
Professor Eggert holds advanced degrees in literature and has a robust academic foundation. While specific details of his early education are not universally documented in public sources, he earned his PhD in English literature, focusing on textual criticism and editorial theory, which has underpinned his subsequent career.
Research Specializations and Academic Interests
Paul Eggert specializes in:
- Australian literature, particularly the works of D.H. Lawrence and Henry Lawson
- Textual scholarship and editorial theory, with a focus on the preparation of scholarly editions
- Digital humanities, exploring the intersection of technology and literary studies
- Book history and the cultural contexts of literary production
Career History and Appointments
Professor Eggert has held numerous prestigious positions throughout his academic career, including:
- Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales, where he served as a faculty member in the School of Humanities and Languages
- Director of the Australian Scholarly Editions Centre at UNSW
- Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne
- Visiting appointments and collaborative roles at institutions in the UK and USA, focusing on editorial projects
Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors
Paul Eggert’s contributions to scholarship have been recognized through various accolades, including:
- Election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, acknowledging his impact on literary studies
- Recipient of multiple Australian Research Council (ARC) grants for projects in textual scholarship and digital humanities
Key Publications
Professor Eggert has authored and edited numerous influential works. A selection of his key publications includes:
- Securing the Past: Conservation in Art, Architecture and Literature (2009) – A groundbreaking study on preservation across cultural domains
- The Editorial Gaze: Mediating Texts in Literature and the Arts (1998, co-edited with Margaret Sankey) – An exploration of editorial practices
- Editor of D.H. Lawrence’s Twilight in Italy and Other Essays (1994) – A critically acclaimed scholarly edition
- Editor of Henry Lawson’s While the Billy Boils (2013) – A definitive edition under the Australian Scholarly Editions Centre
- Numerous articles on textual criticism and Australian literature in leading journals
Influence and Impact on Academic Field
Paul Eggert has had a profound impact on textual scholarship and Australian literary studies. His editorial work on major authors like D.H. Lawrence and Henry Lawson has set benchmarks for scholarly editions, emphasizing historical and cultural fidelity. His contributions to digital humanities have also advanced methodologies for preserving and analyzing literary texts in digital formats. As a mentor and collaborator, he has shaped the next generation of scholars through his leadership at UNSW and beyond.
Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions
Professor Eggert is an active participant in the academic community, with notable contributions such as:
- Delivering keynote addresses and public lectures on textual scholarship and Australian literature at international conferences
- Serving on editorial boards for journals and book series focused on literary studies and editing
- Leadership roles in professional organizations, including the Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Advisory and committee roles in national and international projects related to digital archiving and literary preservation