Bohdan Piasecki undertook a visiting fellowship at the Library of Congress from October 2008 to January 2009, focusing on a project about the critical reception of contemporary Polish poetry in English translation in the U.S. The experience provided him with valuable resources, networking opportunities, and a productive research environment. Following the fellowship, Piasecki graduated in June 2011 and began working as a visiting lecturer and regional program coordinator.

1. Visiting Fellowship
at the Library of Congress
Bohdan Piasecki

2. Background
• When
 Application submitted in 2008
 Visit lasted from 01.10.2008 to
31.01.2009
• What
 Project entitled “Contemporary Polish
Poetry in English translation in the
United States of America: a Study of
the Critical Reception in Newspapers
and Journals Published after 1980”
 Project represented one of the four
chapters in dissertation

3. Amenities
• Accommodation
 Craigslist
 Waiting game
• Kluge Center
 Workspaces
 Common areas
• Collections
 Newspapers
 Journals
 Rare books (incl. non-Anglophone)

4. Support
• Kluge Center Staff
 Academic advice
 Practical advice
 Networking suggestions
• Kluge Center scholars
 Conversations
 Brown bag lunches
 Work in progress presentations
 Lectures
• Library staff
 Specialised advice
 Research help
 Database skills

5. Benefits
• Added value
 Unique sources led to innovative
reasearch
 Fellow scholars helped expand
theoretical base
• Productivity
 Single most productive period in my
time as a PhD student
 Environment facilitates concentration
and rewards hard work

6. Other Advantages
• Networking
 Kluge fellows
 Kluge staff
• Social aspect
 Lasting friendships
 New activities
• Living in Washington
 Election year
 Poetry
 Music and arts scene

7. After DC
• Current activities
 Viva passed in 01.2011, graduated in
06.2011
 Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing,
University of Birmingham starting
01.2012
 Regional Programme Coordinator,
Apples and Snakes
• Contact
 bo.pias@gmail.com
 wordra.in

8. Thank you!