Reading Robots

How are robots represented in contemporary culture? What is the history of robot representations? How are robots understood in the law? How have robots been represented and are there any continuities or emerging images?

Robots appear in different genres in literature and culture. How do these representations compare to technological developments in the fields of computer science and robotics? 

What can be discovered from Reading Robots and engaging in dialogues across these disciplines? 

This roundtable event will present the latest developments of the Reading Robots project which began in 2022-23. 

We will explore the film M3GAN (2022; dir. Gerard Johnstone) and representations of robots in the law from Roman law to the present day.

Robots are both strange and familiar. They seem to have been with us in film and fiction forever. The Reading Robots project (2022-) brings together researchers from literature, film and screen media, and computer science to examine the range of representations of robots. 

So far we have explored Karel Capek’s play, RUR (1920; 1921) which brought the word ‘robot’ into the English language. We have watched the film Ex Machina. (2014; dir. Alex Garland), and discussed Her (2013; dir. Spike Jonze). This term we invite you to join us for more Robot Readings and conversations from different perspectives on what robots have meant and what the future holds for robot-human dialogues.

This interdisciplinary discussion will bring together new perspectives on representations of robots and their significance. 

Panellists

• Dr Sean Seeger, Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, University of Essex
• Dr Dan O’Brien, Department  of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, University of Essex
• Professor Katharine Cockin, Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, University of Essex
• Mr Zhenbin Zuo, Law School, University of Essex
• Dr Javier Andreu-Perez, School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex

This seminar is ideal for University of Essex students and researchers as well as members of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Literary Studies.

The seminar is a hybrid event, to be held on campus and online.  Participants who wish to join remotely can do so via the event Zoom link.