The Philip Larkin Society Conference 2026

Welcome to the Philip Larkin Society Conference 2026 at the University of Hull on March 19-20th 2026. We are taking the 80 year anniversary of the publication of Larkin's first novel Jill (1946) as our starting point this year, alongside exploration of Larkin's poetry and wider prose writing. Get ready to dive into two days of insightful discussions, engaging sessions, and a chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts. We are building on the success of our last two conferences, so we hope to bring you something very special once more.

Our Keynote speakers are Ros Barber (The Marlowe Papers), Roger Lewis (Erotic Vagrancy)and Andrew Swarbrick (Out Of Reach: The Poetry of Philip Larkin). Guest speakers also include poet Ralph Dartford (House Anthems), Dr Clarissa Hard (PLS Trustee and editor of About Larkin), Geoff Weston (Writer and former colleague of Larkin at the University of Hull), Dean Wilson ('second best poet in Withernsea'), Dr Philip Pullen (PLS Trustee) and PLS President Rosie Millard (arts journalist and presenter). We will also have virtual and written contributions from Honorary Vice Presidents including Alan Johnson (former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Vice Chancellor for University of Hull) and Ann Thwaite (biographer of Edmund Gosse and AA Milne).

The full lineup is as follows, although this is subject to change.

Andrew Swarbrick 

Ros Barber 

Roger Lewis 

Clarissa Hard

Daniel Vince

Ralph Dartford

Rosie Millard

The Philip Larkin Record Club

Adam Lomax/Dave Lewis

Istvan Racz

Douglas Bell 

David Hogsette 

Phil Pullen 

Dean Wilson

Anna Stevenson

David Hudson

Andrew Palmer

Geoff Weston

Jake Ropey

Lucyl Harrison

Charlotte Schevchenko Knight

We are now open to Early Bird registration at last year's price of £45. There will be a small increase to £55 when we have confirmed the full programme in January 2026.