Humanities

The Department of Humanities provides an interesting and lively environment to learn in. Although the range of courses is diverse, all courses are designed in collaboration with industry professionals so both content and delivery meet your career development needs, giving you that competitive edge.

Subjects in the Department of Humanities

Creative Writing

Perfect the art of writing imaginatively, on a variety of topics, through expert tuition from our award-winning published authors, playwrights and experimental poets.

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English Language and linguistics

Explore language from a diverse range of perspectives: understand how it works, examine how language is constructed and see why people adapt their language in diverse situations.

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English

The study of English at Kingston encourages students to take an active part within a supportive and academically stimulating environment.

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Philosophy (CRMEP)

The Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy is the leading centre for postgraduate-level study and doctoral research in continental philosophy in the UK.

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Staff in the department

Professor Sara Upstone

Faculty Director of Postgraduate Research and Professor of Contemporary Literature

Mr Oludiran Adebayo

Lecturer

Dr Éadaoin Agnew

Senior lecturer

Professor Eric Alliez

Professor of Contemporary French Philosophy

Miss Mata Ayoub

School Director Learning & Teaching

Professor Etienne Balibar

Visiting Professor in Modern European Philosophy

Dr Adam Baron

Associate Professor

Dr Matthew Birchwood

Senior Lecturer

Dr Paul Booth

Senior Lecturer

Professor Fred Botting

Professor of English Literature and Creative Writing

Professor Howard Caygill

Professor of Modern European Philosophy

Dr Martin Dines

School Head of Department

Dr Peter Ely

Research Assistant

Mr Steven J. Fowler

Lecturer

Dr Nicholas Foxton

Senior Lecturer in Humanities

Professor Peter Hallward

Professor of Modern European Philosophy

Professor Avril Horner

Emeritus Professor of English

Ms Karen Hurley

Senior Lecturer English for Academic Purposes

Dr Meg Jensen

Professor in English Literature and Creative Writing

Dr Marina Lambrou

Associate Professor

Mr Alex Linghorn

Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Languages

Professor Marisa Linton

Professor Emerita in History

Dr Karen A Lipsedge

Associate Professor in English Literature

Dr Chun Liu

Lecturer and Module Leader

Ms Catherine Malabou

Visiting Professor in Modern European Philosophy

Dr Matthew Melia

Senior Lecturer and Course leader of the Humanities Foundation Degree

Dr James Miller

Senior Lecturer

Dr Jeremy Nuttall

Senior Lecturer in Modern British History

Professor Peter Osborne

Director of the Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy

Dr Helen Palmer

Senior Lecturer

Mr Albert Pellicer

Lecturer in Modern Languages (Spanish)

Ms Rosa Rodriguez-Garrido

Senior Modern language lecturer and Kingston Language Scheme Director

Dr David Rogers

Emeritus Senior Fellow

Professor Stella Sandford

Professor of Modern European Philosophy

Gabrielle Smallbone

Senior Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes

Dr Wendy Vaizey

Senior Lecturer

Dr Steven Woodbridge

Senior Lecturer in History

Humanities news and activities

Blog: Is it time for the UK to rise rather than crash and burn at this year's Eurovision Song Contest?

13 May 2022

Kingston University dance student uses his experience as a young carer to inspire final graduate performance

16 Mar 2022

Double Olympic medalist and Kingston University graduate Asha Philip reflects on her sprinting career and aspirations for 2022

8 Mar 2022

Blog: 40 years of the Brit Awards – are we finally reaching equality?

8 Feb 2022

Big Read author Okechukwu Nzelu: '‘Sharing my book with Kingston University students has been such a gift"

22 Dec 2021

Kingston University film expert reflects on reasons behind Squid Game becoming most-watched programme on Netflix in 2021

21 Dec 2021

Stanley Picker Gallery fellowship project with artist Ben Judd concludes with final exhibition bringing together Kingston University art students and community groups

29 Sep 2021

Kingston School of Art dance students perform first live show since start of pandemic as part of Stanley Picker Gallery fellowship project

17 Aug 2021

Award-winning debut novel by Okechukwu Nzelu set to bring joy to Kingston University students as part of Big Read

24 May 2021

Women's History Month: Kingston University music expert on the career of composer Ruth Gipps and her role as a female musical leader

19 Mar 2021

Broadcaster Emily Maitlis reveals how she navigates pressures of social media at Kingston University Big Read author event

10 Feb 2021

A day in the life of a young adult carer supported by Kingston University's pioneering KU Cares programme

14 Jan 2021

Kingston University graduate Nadine Kaadan makes BBC's list of 100 inspiring and influential women of 2020 for championing inclusivity in children's books

17 Dec 2020

Kingston University postgraduate wins prestigious creative writing award with first novel inspired by climate change and Russian author Dostoyevsky

17 Nov 2020

Kingston University supports military personnel and their families by signing the Armed Forces Covenant

6 Nov 2020

Expressive writing project from Kingston University to help Covid-19 healthcare workers overcome traumatic experiences

12 Oct 2020

How Black History Month has inspired research into the stories and achievements of Black figures from Kingston and Surrey's past

5 Oct 2020

Kingston School of Art creative writing graduate Oyinkan Braithwaite scoops British Book Award

25 Sep 2020

Kingston University shortlisted for Times Higher Education awards

24 Sep 2020

Kingston University project helps people in conflict regions overcome trauma through creative writing

20 Aug 2020

Kingston University art students create inspirational animation film for young refugee project

3 Aug 2020

Kingston School of Art expert entertains hospital patients with classical music and story-time hospital radio shows during coronavirus pandemic

31 Jul 2020

Award-winning broadcaster Emily Maitlis chosen as next Kingston University Big Read with Airhead book

5 May 2020

Next chapter of Kingston University's Big Read project reveals six shortlisted page turners

17 Feb 2020

Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra record David Bowie classic Space Oddity with super producer Tony Visconti

17 Dec 2019

Best-selling author Rachel Joyce reveals how the imaginary world of books can create a safe haven during Kingston University Big Read campus visits

19 Nov 2019

Work and life of music icon Scott Walker to be explored at Kingston University in first academic symposium to focus on star's late period output

1 Nov 2019

Grafton Architects, designers of Kingston University's flagship Town House building, named winners of 2020 RIBA Royal Gold Medal

3 Oct 2019

Creative Writing graduates shortlisted for major book prizes

9 Sep 2019

Should a Theresa May memoir be released? Experts at Kingston University create novel formula to guide publishers on the potential success or failure of political biographies

6 Aug 2019

Leading judge and chair of landmark public inquiry in to journalism Sir Brian Leveson awarded Kingston University honorary degree

25 Jul 2019

Q&A with Creative Writing tutor Dr Adam Baron on publication of his book You Won't Believe This (HarperCollins, 2019)

19 Jul 2019

Inspirational entrepreneurs, campaigners for justice and industry pioneers to be recognised with honorary awards from Kingston University

16 Jul 2019

Four Kingston University subjects secure 100 per cent for overall satisfaction in this year's National Student Survey

3 Jul 2019

Kingston University's drama, dance and music students produce opera spectacular for Kingston OnStage festival

17 Jun 2019

Kingston University named one of top 50 in country in Guardian league tables – rising 10 places in national newspaper's latest rankings

7 Jun 2019

D-Day landings 75th anniversary: six closely-guarded military secrets about Kingston upon Thames' involvement in this critical campaign

6 Jun 2019

Unexploded Second World War bomb discovered in Kingston: Five facts about impact of German air raids on borough during the war

28 May 2019

Award-winning debut novel by Rachel Joyce becomes this year's Kingston University Big Read book as project celebrates fifth birthday

24 Apr 2019

Sir Brian Leveson hails Kingston University's online archive of landmark public inquiry in to journalism during Discover Leveson project launch event

4 Apr 2019

Academic Dr Meg Jensen publishes book on autobiographical writing and PTSD

29 Mar 2019

Kingston University's Big Read Project turns exciting new page as six shortlisted novels revealed

7 Mar 2019

Kingston University to host seminar to inform future teachers about the needs of Forces children

11 Feb 2019

Inspirational 82 year old proves it's never too late to learn as she graduates with MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University

18 Jan 2019

Kingston University fashion graduate and Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey named Dame in New Year's Honours

3 Jan 2019

Kingston University academic's children's book selected for Reading Rampage

13 Dec 2018

Discover Leveson – Kingston University's new online archive of landmark public inquiry offers unique insight into journalism and society

6 Dec 2018

Kingston University philosophy expert wins Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship to explore sex division in natural history

21 Nov 2018

From cell biology to self-identity – Kingston University pharmacy academic has first novel published

1 Nov 2018

Acclaimed author Gail Honeyman enthrals fans of bestseller Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine during Kingston University Big Read event

29 Oct 2018

Kingston University graduate wins competition to design Instagram logo for Iris Murdoch Society

10 Oct 2018

Kingston University academic Dr Alison Baverstock's contribution to publishing education recognised with National Teaching Fellowship

30 Aug 2018

Competition explores possibilities of composers using artificial intelligence to create new music

24 Aug 2018

From legal eagle to Kingston University music maestro – Clearing hits the right note for former lawyer

14 Aug 2018

Kingston University students step into the spotlight as International Youth Arts Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary

6 Jul 2018

Rose Theatre plays host to festival celebrating Kingston University's drama, dance, film and music emerging talent

11 Jun 2018

Times Higher Education ranks Kingston University in top 200 young institutions across the globe

8 Jun 2018

Kingston University professor receives international honour for his world-leading work on Gothic literature

8 May 2018

Sunday Times bestseller Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman named latest Kingston University Big Read novel

26 Apr 2018

Kingston University student scoops Association for Publishing Education prize for work examining demand for books for autistic children

12 Apr 2018

Kingston University professors appointed to prestigious panels for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework

27 Mar 2018

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis contends madness and conflict of Shakespeare's characters can humanise economics in Kingston University lecture

19 Mar 2018

Stephen Lawrence case: Kingston University Professor Brian Cathcart examines significance of Daily Mail coverage ahead of 25th anniversary of teenager's murder

15 Mar 2018

Esteemed music producer Tony Visconti shares tips on working with artists including David Bowie and Marc Bolan during Kingston University masterclass

14 Mar 2018

Six leading female authors in the running for this year's Kingston University Big Read as shortlisted titles announced

9 Mar 2018

Historical research expert welcomes release of newly declassified files on Thatcher and Major governments

31 Jan 2018

Kingston University's Big Read project scoops Times Higher Education Award for Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year

30 Nov 2017

Kingston University Big Read author Kit de Waal talks to fans about difficult choices affecting children in care

31 Oct 2017

Kingston University launches new writers' centre where globe's top creative talent can share expertise with students and wider community

26 Oct 2017

Kingston University pays tribute following death of Patron, world renowned theatre great Sir Peter Hall

12 Sep 2017

Kingston University students create coming of age story inspired by BBC's Bad Education star Jack Binstead's life as a disabled teen

7 Aug 2017

Acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Matt Haig shares top tips on life after graduation as he receives honorary degree from Kingston University

26 Jul 2017

Kingston's Rose Theatre hosts royalty as special gala showcases talent from Kingston University performing arts staff and students

12 Jul 2017

Kingston University students raise the curtains with royalty and Game of Thrones star for the International Youth Arts Festival

10 Jul 2017

Guardian University Guide names Kingston University a top institution for fashion, journalism and publishing in latest rankings

16 May 2017

Fake news: Why the future of journalism lies in earning and deserving the trust of the public

15 Mar 2017

Leading US journalism educator Debora Wenger receives first PhD by Prior Publication from Kingston University's School of Humanities

3 Feb 2017

Philosophy centre comes to Kingston

8 Oct 2010

Contact us

Heads of Department of Humanities: Dr Matthew Birchwood and Dr Martin Dines.

Department of Humanities undergraduate course administrator: Sandra Da Silva.

Department of Humanities postgraduate course administrator: Hannah Evans

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Creative writing

English Language and linguistics

English

Philosophy (CRMEP)

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