University College Dublin’s Literary & Historical Society has withdrawn a James Joyce Award that it had offered to Irish novelist John Boyne, the society said, after a petition and public criticism of Boyne’s support for author J.K. Rowling’s gender‑critical views.
The society initially notified Boyne — best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas — that he would receive the James Joyce Award for his novel Earth, which addresses themes including sexual assault and homophobia. The award was later put on hold and then rescinded amid a row tied to a separate Polari Prize nomination and a petition reportedly signed by more than 800 authors objecting to Boyne’s inclusion on lists because of his public comments on trans people and gender ideology.
In a statement the student‑run society said it “condemn[s] all forms of transphobia” and that it would work to increase representation of trans and gender‑nonconforming judges on panels, and undertake a governance and management review. The statement added that the society would weigh the need to provide “inclusive and supportive spaces in a world hostile to our trans community” alongside free‑speech considerations.
Boyne posted a copy of correspondence from the society and said he had been “baffled” by the decision to withdraw the award. He told the society he was honoured by the initial offer and said after the rescission that he considered the action “cowardice.” He added that “awards are ultimately meaningless. The books matter. Readers matter.”
Campaign group Seen In Publishing criticized the society’s decision, calling it “shocking and cowardly” and describing the move as an example of what it termed literary cancel culture. The society said it had originally offered the prize because of Boyne’s perceived courage in engaging with “uncomfortable truth,” his “authenticity” and commitment to justice, qualities it said were important for students seeking belonging and identity.
The James Joyce Award is given by the student society and not by University College Dublin itself. Past recipients of the award include a range of literary and public figures, among them Salman Rushdie, J.K. Rowling and Noam Chomsky, as well as non‑literary figures recognised for prominence in their fields.
The controversy follows heightened scrutiny across publishing and literary communities over nominations, prizes and public comments on gender identity and trans rights. Organisers of prizes and festivals have in recent years faced calls both to exclude and to include authors based on their public stances, prompting debates about inclusion, free expression and the governance of cultural institutions.
The society said it would carry out an internal review and consult on how to run more inclusive panels and events. The Daily Mail reported the developments and said it had approached University College Dublin and the Literary & Historical Society for further comment.