Inaugural Lecture: Alex Thomson

Contemporary Scottish cultural debate has been significantly shaped by socioeconomic and political changes, and artistic and intellectual realignments, which occurred during the last two decades of the twentieth century. Of critical significance for literary studies was a revolution in the writing of Scottish cultural history, widely understood at the time in terms of a transition from ‘modern’ to ‘postmodern’ conceptions of art, politics and identity. The lecture will revisit this moment of radical possibility, relating these historiographical debates not only to devolution and political change in Scotland, but also to emergent theoretical paradigms in the humanities and social sciences. How has the ‘postmodern’ approach to Scottish cultural history informed the practice of scholars, teachers and critics? Assessing its impact and legacy, the lecture will ask whether the now dominant model remains fit for purpose – and if not, what might replace it?

Professor Alex Thomson holds a Personal Chair of Modern Literature and Critical Theory, and is Head of the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.

Having studied English and Scottish Literature at the University of Edinburgh, and Critical Theory at the University of Sussex, he completed a PhD on the philosophy of Jacques Derrida at the University of Edinburgh in 2001. He was appointed to the role of Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh in 2006, having previously held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, and Lectureships at the University of Bristol and the University of Glasgow: he was promoted to his current position in 2022.

His principal research interests lie in modern literature since the romantic period, Scottish literature and intellectual history, and modern European philosophy and thought. He has published on modern French philosophy, on the Frankfurt School tradition of critical theory, and on a range of topics in Scottish cultural and literary history. He is currently completing a book on the relationship between literature, politics and critique in twentieth century Scotland, and a critical edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Memories and Portraits.

He has been co-editor of the book series Taking on the Political and is a founding co-editor of the series Engagements with Modern Scottish Culture (both Edinburgh University Press). He has a national profile in the discipline of English through his work with subject associations: having served as Chair of University English (2017-2022), he is currently Deputy Chair of the English Association. He maintains a long association with Edinburgh University Press, having served both as a member (2009-2015) then as Chair (2015-2022) of the Academic Committee, and also as a Trustee and Board Member.

Browse Professor Thomson's staff profile on the University of Edinburgh's website

Inaugural Lectures are public talks by newly-appointed Professors and Chairs at the University of Edinburgh. The lectures are free and open to all.

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Please note that this lecture is a free, in-person event held on the University of Edinburgh campus. It will not be live streamed - tickets are for access to the venue. However, the lecture may be photographed and/or recorded and added to the University website afterwards. If you would prefer not to appear in any recordings, please contact us in advance or speak to us on the day. It's not a problem.

Host or Publisher School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures