Led by our partner organisation, Writers' Centre Norwich (WCN), the UEA Creative Writing programme was prominent in Norwich's successful bid in 2012 to become England's first UNESCO City of Literature, an accolade granted to cities with an outstanding literary heritage and a vibrant contemporary writing, reading, translation and publishing scene.

The UEA UNESCO City of Literature Visiting Professorships are named in celebration of this achievement, with the intention of appointing significant authors of international reputation who will contribute both to the Creative Writing programme and to the public-facing activities organised by WCN. Each year there will be two appointments, one in the Autumn semester and one in the Spring, and on each occasion the nature of the Visiting Professors' contribution will be shaped to reflect their particular interests and expertise, with the primary aim of enhancing our students' experience while raising the profile of Norwich as a City of Literature.

The inaugural professors in 2012-13 are the playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker and the novelist Ali Smith.