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Lecture Series
Elvet Bridge

【Upcoming in-person WiP event】

Wednesday 6 May, 1pm (ER147)

Capitalism, Modernity and the Provincialisation of Europe: some early Soviet considerations

Professor Craig Brandist, University of Sheffield, UK.

The project of ‘provincialising Europe’ is far from new, but has taken on a particular form in postcolonial scholarship, often based on a caricatured reading of Marx as an exponent of universalist patterns of development. Such an approach fails adequately to engage with central aspects of Marx’s critique of how European capitalism involved forms of abstraction particular to that mode of production which were presented as universal, and how, in response to his engagement with non-European societies, his later works continually grapple with multilinear patterns of development. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, many thinkers grappled, in a variety of ways, with the issue of how different societies with particular features and levels of development both coexist and interact in wider historical processes. It will be shown that despite the abstract universalism of the 5-stage pattern of social development (piatichlenka) that became canonical in Stalinist Marxism in the 1930s, critical thinking on the question continued in areas of research outside those which had direct political applications and that these exerted an influence on intellectuals from the decolonising world who sought to establish non-capitalist forms of modern society. Such approaches were, however, obscured by some prominent postcolonial theorists even as they built a very different approach upon their foundations.

Bio

Craig Brandist is Professor of Cultural Theory and Intellectual History, and Director of the Bakhtin Centre, at the University of Sheffield. He has published extensively about various aspects of early Soviet thought, including several works on the Bakhtin Circle and wider areas of social and cultural theory. A new book Gramsci in Russia: Translating a Revolution is currently in press with Brill, and he is working on a monograph about early Soviet Oriental Studies, with a particular focus on India.

 

Teaching Fellow Opportunity

Teaching Fellow in Chinese Studies (Job Number: 26000491)
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Grade 7: - £38,784 - £46,049 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 12 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 19-May-2026, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University  
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city which is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by stunning countryside.  Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.  
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. 
We want our university to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC) at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Teaching Fellow in Chinese Studies. The appointment will be on a fixed term full-time (1 FTE) basis for twelve months, starting on 1 September 2026, replacing Professor Qing Cao while he undertakes a Leverhulme Research Fellowship.
We invite applications for those with research expertise in Chinese Studies, and in particular from candidates with interests in film studies, visual culture and contemporary cultural and literary studies. The post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent teaching while allowing you the opportunity to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution. While independent research is not part of the role, the postholder will be able to participate in the School’s research community.
MLAC is one of the largest and most successful such Schools in the UK and is ranked joint 40th (7th in the UK) in the 2026 QS World Rankings by Subject. It brings together research in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese and Russian Studies. Our reach spans Europe, the Arab world, Russophone Eurasia, Hispanic America, and East Asia, and their mutual socio-cultural, intellectual and linguistic relations. Our expertise ranges from the medieval and early modern periods through to the contemporary era, with particular strengths in visual arts and culture, the relationship between the sciences        and the humanities, textual scholarship, gender and sexuality studies, critical and cultural theory, travel literature, creative writing, and translation. Indeed, translation — understood in its broad sense of transmission, interpretation and circulation of cultural forms, ideas and histories — underpins the School’s collective practices.
The depth and diversity of our interests are reflected in a range of interdisciplinary degree programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We offer undergraduate degrees in Modern Languages and Cultures, Chinese and Japanese Studies, and Visual Art and Film. Our taught postgraduate degrees offer advanced training in Translation Studies, Visual Culture and Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Meanwhile, the Centre for Foreign Language Study (CFLS) delivers an Institution-Wide Language Programme to students across the University via credit-bearing and non-credit bearing modules, giving as many of our students as possible the opportunity to learn languages in the way and at the level best suited to them. More information on the School can be found on our webpages at: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/modern-languages-cultures/ 
Chinese Studies
Durham has a long history of teaching East Asian languages, with the first lecturer in Chinese appointed in 1952. The University Library has extensive holdings in Chinese culture, and Durham’s Oriental Museum holds specialist collections of Chinese art in Durham’s Oriental Museum. There are currently ten full-time members of staff in Chinese Studies with wide-ranging expertise in Chinese literature, film and visual culture; translation, interpreting and language pedagogy; and history, politics and philosophy. Alongside the BA in Chinese Studies, staff also contribute to the School’s BA in Visual Arts and Film and its cross-cultural taught Masters programmes, including the MA in Visual Culture, the MA in Language, Literature and Culture and the MA in Translation Studies, as well as supervising postgraduate research projects on aspects of Chinese language, culture and history.
More detailed information on Chinese Studies at Durham can be found here:
Information on the teaching expertise and research interests of staff in Chinese Studies can be found here:
The Role
Applications are invited for a Teaching Fellow in Chinese Studies. The post is at 1 FTE for a fixed term of 12 months, beginning on 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. As the post is funded by a Leverhulme Trust award, we do not anticipate that it will be extended beyond this fixed term.
The successful applicant will have excellent Chinese and English language skills (L1 language proficiency or near-equivalent in both cases), as well as research expertise and teaching experience in Chinese Studies. You should be able to teach aspects of Chinese cinema, film, visual culture, and contemporary literary and cultural studies. You will be fully integrated in the Chinese Studies team within Durham University’s School of Modern Languages and Cultures and you will be expected to contribute to the delivery of teaching on the BA in Chinese Studies and other relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as appropriate, to include curriculum development, the convening of modules, and all aspects of assessment.
Teaching Fellowships offer the opportunity of valuable experience to those early in their academic careers. The post of Teaching Fellow will involve a significant teaching load, which may extend into the summer period, and there may be related scholarship and the opportunity for administrative duties which relate to education and pedagogy.
The University provides a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.
Teaching Fellowships offer the opportunity of valuable experience to those early in their academic careers and the University is keen to maximise the benefit to as many people as possible.  The post of Teaching Fellow will involve a significant teaching load, which may extend into the summer period, and there may be related scholarship and the opportunity for administrative duties which relate to education and pedagogy.
The post is for a fixed term only, and it is not anticipated that the post will be extended beyond this fixed term.
Successful applicants will, ideally be in post by 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The University provides a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.
Key Responsibilities
  • Teach modules in appropriate learning environments at undergraduate/postgraduate levels, demonstrating an increasing awareness of different approaches to and methods of teaching and supporting student learning;
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage own teaching and designing, planning and writing teaching materials;
  • Convene modules and contribute to modules led by others by collaborating with colleagues on course development;
·       Undertake undergraduate and taught postgraduate dissertation supervision;
  • Develop and deliver an inclusive curriculum and make an active contribution to an inclusive community in which diversity is embraced and celebrated;
  • Seek and take on board feedback on teaching and engage with others in CPD;
  • Undertake student support, assessment of academic performance and provision of feedback, including dealing with student disciplinary matters and complaints as necessary;
  • Build internal contacts and participate in networks to exchange information;
  • Start to engage in scholarship (the creation, development and maintenance of the intellectual infrastructure of subjects and disciplines) e.g. develop online teaching resources;
  • In addition to Board of Studies, membership of some departmental committees and professional body memberships;
  • Student support, assessment of academic performance and provision of feedback, dealing with student disciplinary matters and complaints;
  • Undertake effectively and efficiently any administrative role allocated by your Head of Department.
  • To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
  • To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
  • To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 
We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on your teaching achievements or pedagogical outputs, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application The selection committee will recognise that this may have reduced the quantity of your research accordingly.
The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information 
School contact for academic-related enquiries 
For academic enquiries related to the post please contact Professor Qing Cao, Director of Studies in Chinese, email qing.cao@durham.ac.uk.
Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 
If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk 
Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  
University contact for general queries about the recruitment process 
How to Apply  
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  
Submitting your application 
We prefer to receive applications online.   Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   
What to Submit 
All applicants are asked to submit: 
  • a CV and covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
  •  A statement setting out your aspirations as a Teaching Fellow in terms of your motivations as a teacher, your teaching philosophy and methodologies, and your approach to innovation in teaching and assessment (up to 750 words)
  •  The names of up to three academic referees
We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails. 
Next Steps 
Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the School.  The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and postgraduate students in the School followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over one or possibly two days in mid- to late-June 2026. 
In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification
Candidates applying for a grade 7 post will have recently completed or be concluding their PhD and, while they may have limited direct experience of the requirements for the post, they must outline their experience, skills and achievements to date which demonstrate that they meet or that they have the potential to achieve the below criteria
Essential Criteria:
  • A good first degree in Chinese Studies.
  • A PhD (or be close to submission) in [a relevant area of Chinese Studies (film studies, visual culture, contemporary cultural and literary studies or a closely related subject, or equivalent demonstrable practitioner experience which may include appropriate certification and/or membership of a relevant professional body.
  •   L1 language proficiency or near-equivalent in Chinese and English.
  • Experience of teaching and examining at University level, including evidence of positive student feedback if available
  • ·       Demonstrable ability to teach university courses in Chinese Studies in an Anglophone environment, especially visual culture, cultural studies, literary studies and history.
  • Experience of contributing to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching and/or assessment of learning, including the design and creation of successful learning environments and curricula.
  • Demonstrable ability to participate in the collegial/administrative activities of an academic department and/or discipline.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.
Desirable Criteria:
  • Experience of successfully developing innovative teaching methods for the design/delivery of high quality teaching.     
  •  Research expertise in Chinese Studies that complements the specialisms of existing staff.
  • Experience of successfully working in an administrative role within an organisation or department.
  • Experience of providing high quality one-to-one student supervision.
  • Evidence of work undertaken (or which would be undertaken) in preparation for teaching and keeping up to date with developments in the subject area, such as:
    • active membership and engagement with a professional body;
    • demonstrable innovation in educational practice;
    •  publication in a scholarly journal or relevant professional publication;
    • Attending and presenting internal and/or external seminars or at a regional conference; and/or
    • Materials/curriculum development for wider use in a department.
    • Candidates may have, or should have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of HEA.

 

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PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities

 

We are delighted to announce the competition for eight PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities, supported by our AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award and the Faculties of Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. This scheme will support outstanding candidates beginning a PhD programme in October 2026 on projects related to the themes of our Transformative Humanities framework. 

Applications for this scheme will open on 3 November 2025. Please see our website for further information. 

Each award will offer a tuition fee waiver, a stipend for 3.5 years (full time) or 7 years (part time) at the level set by UKRI, additional funding opportunities, and access to training and placement resources. 

Eligibility. Only PhD students accepted to Durham University with a supervisory team lead by Arts & Humanities or Social Sciences will be considered for this scheme. The competition is open to both home and overseas students: seven awards are open to home students and will cover tuition fees at home level; one award is open to overseas students and will cover tuition fees at overseas level. In line with the cross-disciplinary nature of the scheme, supervision must include collaboration across at least two departments. 

Application Process. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisor(s) to discuss their project before applying. Applications can be submitted through our online application portal at this link; in the funding section, under 'Scholarship details,' please select "PGR - Transformative Humanities" from the drop-down menu. The application deadline for this scheme is 23.59 (UK time) on 16 January 2026. 

As part of the application, applicants are asked to submit: 

  • a research proposal (max. 1,000 words) that clearly defines research questions and context, the intended approach and methods, the relevance of the project to transformative humanities, and the fit with Durham University. 

  • a CV 

  • an equal opportunities monitoring form (please see the website) 

  • the names of two referees. Upon submission of the application, referees will receive an automated message and will have two weeks to submit their references. 

Prospective applicants are welcome to join an information and Q&A session at 3pm (UK time) on 10 November 2025. Please use this link to join the event. 

Successful applicants will be notified in March 2026.

 

Calls for Papers

2025/26

Call for Papers Spring Term Postgraduate and Early Career Workshop Series 2025/26

The Centre for Comparative Modernities (CCM) invites proposals for 30-minute papers for their 2025/26 Spring Workshop series. Proposals are welcome from doctoral and Early Career Researchers from across all disciplines. The seminar series offers the opportunity to present research (both on-ongoing and completed) and to receive informal feedback from peers.

As a centre CCM aims to foster an interdisciplinary perspective that moves beyond the western-centric paradigm of modernity and to challenge conventional understandings of how the world has changed over time. Papers focused on international and comparative approaches are particularly welcome. Topics may include but are not limited to:

  • Localising Modernity
  • Modernity and Westernisation
  • Transnational modernities 
  • East Asian modernities
  • Philosophical perspectives on modernities  
  • Technological Modernities
  • Modernity and Gender 
  • Modernity and Cultural Transitions
  • Modernity and Orientalism 

Please submit a title and abstract of no more than 200 words along with a short biography (max. 100 words) to ccm@durham.ac.uk by 5 January 2026. All sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams.

 

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