Woolf College is the fifth college of the University of Kent and was established in 2008. Woolf College was established as the fifth college at the University of Kent, following the founding of Darwin College 38 years earlier. It is built and is managed by University Partnerships Programme (UPP)[1]. The college is located on Giles Lane in Canterbury, England, and is named after the writer Virginia Woolf.
| Woolf College | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kent | ||||
 | ||||
| Established | 2008; 16 years ago | |||
| Named after | Virginia Woolf | |||
| Website | www | |||
The college accommodates both postgraduate students and returning undergraduate students, providing modern facilities designed to support academic and social engagement. The college provides self-catered accommodation with separate blocks for undergraduates[2] and postgraduates[3]. The college features both standard and large ensuite rooms, with students sharing a kitchen and dining area with 5 to 8 flatmates. There are approximately 500 rooms available within the college.
History
editWoolf College was established in 2008 and was the first new college at the University of Kent since the founding of Darwin College almost four decades earlier. Woolf College was initially established to provide accommodation and academic facilities for postgraduate students; however, it was subsequently opened to returning undergraduate students to meet the university's increasing demand for accommodation.
The college was named in honor of Virginia Woolf, a prominent modernist writer whose works significantly influenced 20th-century literature. The name recognizes Woolf's contributions to literature and her connections to the Kent region, particularly her interest in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Woolf’s literary and historical associations with Kent, including her reflections on medieval English culture, link her legacy to the university and the surrounding area.[4]
Location
editWoolf College is located near the centre of the University of Kent campus, with access to various academic and recreational facilities. These include the Templeman Library, which offers resources for study, and the Gulbenkian, which screens films and shows. The college is near Kent Sport's facilities, which offers free access for undergraduate and postgraduate students living in Canterbury campus accommodation.[5]
It is connected to local transport via the nearby bus stops served by Stagecoach, providing access to Canterbury city centre and surrounding areas.[6] The college is surrounded by a mix of academic buildings, residential areas, and green spaces, allowing students to enjoy a quiet, study-focused environment while remaining close to the broader university community.
Facilities
editThe college has a range of facilities, including seminar rooms, a lecture theatre, and study spaces:
- Seminar Rooms: 6 seminar rooms, each equipped with modern teaching and presentation technologies. These rooms host seminars, study groups, and smaller academic gatherings.
- Lecture Theatre: A large lecture theatre with 471 seats, used for lectures, conferences, and larger academic events.
- Social Room: A dedicated space for students to meet, relax, and engage in social activities.
- Reception/Foyer: The college features a reception area, where students can access support services, information, and engage with staff, and has a large foyer for holding events.
- Study Spaces: Various study areas are available within the college, both in accommodation blocks and communal spaces.
- Accessibility: Woolf College is designed to be accessible for students with disabilities. The college features wheelchair-accessible entrances, lifts, and wide doorways. Accessible parking spaces and bathrooms are available, and clear, easy-to-read signage help guide individuals with visual impairments.[7]
Notability and Recognition
editWoolf College often hosts events and academic conferences, contributing to the university's academic environment.
Academic Conferences:
- In 2018, Woolf College hosted the 28th Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf, which explored the themes of "Europe and Peace." The conference marked the centenary of the end of World War I and the 80th anniversary of Virginia Woolf's Three Guineas. The event brought together scholars and academics from various countries.[8][9]
- In 2024, Woolf College hosted a lecture titled ‘Virginia Woolf and the Property Market’ by Emeritus Professor Rachel Bowlby from University College London. The lecture explored themes related to Woolf's engagement with property and the socio-economic structures in her time. Following the lecture, a reception was held, providing an opportunity for attendees to discuss Woolf College's legacy and its ongoing relevance.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Woolf College". UPP Ltd. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Welcome to Woolf College". University of Kent. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Woolf College". University of Kent. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Reading the Past: Virginia Woolf, Chaucer and the Pastons | Women's Literary Culture and the Medieval Canon". blogs.surrey.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Kent Sport". University of Kent. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Stagecoach Buses - Commuting around Canterbury and East Kent". University of Kent. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Woolf College". AccessAble. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "The 28th Annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf – 21-24 June 2018 – Société d'Etudes Woolfiennes – French Society for Woolf Studies". etudes-woolfiennes.org. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Annual International Conferences on VW". Blogging Woolf. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Gary (16 May 2024). "Public lecture to celebrate life and legacy of Virginia Woolf". Retrieved 7 November 2024.
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