We provide a forum for academics to meet up and network at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (The Friday Sessions) plus a series of events targeted at an academic audience. We also organise events and platforms throughout the whole festival programme in which academics share their knowledge and research with a wider public.

Our key academic partner is Lancaster University with whom we have a Memorandum of Understanding. Our partnership resulted in the appointment of Benoît Peeters as the first Visiting Professor of Comic Art and Graphic Fiction in the UK (also supported by the Wallonie Bruxelles International). Benoît made his first public appearance at LICAF in 2016. Lancaster University sponsors the Comics Laureate post and is committed to integrating comics research across a wide range of faculties and disciplines.

We also have a strong partnership with University of Cumbria via comics workshops and exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts, masterclasses with our international Comics Creators and a regular presence at the Comics Clocktower. University of Cumbria are the main sponsor of our Education Programme. 

LICAF’s approach to developing links with the academic is distinctive. Their work with Lancaster University, for instance, which has led to Benoît Peeters becoming the UK's first professor of graphic fiction and comic art, sets the tone. The way academics and their work is integrated into the fabric of the festival is shown in Benoît’s participation in the very lively opening debate of the festival, Asterix Versus Tintin, and by the use of academics like myself as presenters, workshop leaders, speakers and hosts throughout.     

- Dr Mel Gibson, University of Northumbria

• If you are interested in finding out more about the LICAF academics programme contact Aileen McEvoy, Associate Director LICAF

• Find out more about our Academic Session on Friday 13 October 2017