On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Duke English will host the inaugural Triangle Undergraduate Literary Conference (TULC), a one-day conference for undergraduates attending Duke University, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University. It will allow undergrads from these universities to share their literature-related research. The conference will occur in the Holsti-Anderson Family Assembly Room of the Rubenstein Library from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
The Triangle Undergraduate Literary Conference is the brainchild of three Duke English majors and English Department Ambassadors, Trisha Santanam, ‘26, Tyler King, ‘25, and Arielle Stern, ‘25. A conversation between Santanam and King during the Summer of 2024 planted the seed from which TULC blossomed. The two were discussing their research projects and sought feedback from each other when they realized that other undergraduates might be seeking the same from peers and others knowledgeable about the area of their research project interest. They had previously worked with Stern in other capacities. They presented her with the idea of joining them as they knew her experience and knowledge would be an asset to the conference. It was a natural fit for the three Duke English majors to collaborate on the conference.
Undergraduates are not often invited to present or even participate in a conference where their work is the focal point. The trio originally thought of simply hosting a Duke undergraduate conference but realized there might be interest beyond Duke’s campus. They figured that other undergraduates might relish the opportunity to collaborate with others who share an interest in literature.
Arielle Stern, ’25, English and French with a minor in Creative Writing
Although TULC is a literary conference, it is based on an interpretation of literature, allowing for diverse views and projects. Stern noted that the trio was surprised by the interest level in the conference, as they had no idea what to expect when they began formulating it.
Tyler King, '25, English and Biomedical Engineering
The conference will consist of sixteen undergraduate presentations, two keynote speakers, and a writing exercise administered by Duke English’s Blackburn Visiting Artist in Residence, Frances Leviston.
The conference will open with Duke English Ph.D. alum Maggie McDowell, American Studies and Humanities Instructor at North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM) as the keynote speaker, followed by the undergraduate presentations which will be divided into sessions based on four themes:
After each session, presenters will participate in Q&A panels. The conference, which currently has nearly eighty attendees registered, will close with a keynote by Ph.D. candidate Lieutenant Colonel Trivius G. Caldwell, a U.S. Army Officer.
King, Santanam, and Stern garnered significant interest not only from students but also from departments, programs, and offices willing to sponsor and support the conference.
Trish Santanam, ’26, English with a Music minor
They would like to thank the following sponsors:
The trio hopes that this year’s conference will be the launching of an annual event that will help the colleges and universities in the Triangle work together to build a community for undergraduate students interested in literature and open minds to a world of opportunities in the field of humanities in and beyond the classroom. King, Santanam, and Stern have drawn a blueprint that has the potential to provide those who follow them with a platform to present and develop their literary ideas and research in a way that did not previously exist.
Santanam and King
Please visit sites.duke.edu/tulc to register and for more details about the conference.
