Alison MacLeod

Alison MacLeod is a Visiting Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Chichester. She is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, and literary critic known for works exploring 20th-century themes like freedom of expression and historical narratives. Her acclaimed novel Tenderness (2021) reimagines D.H. Lawrence’s controversial legacy, while Unexploded (2013) was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Her research interests span creative writing techniques, historical fiction, and the intersection of literature with science and society. She has contributed to major publications like the Guardian and BBC Radio, and her short stories appear in collections such as All the Beloved Ghosts (2017).

Award highlights include the British Library’s Hay-Eccles Writer’s Award (2016) and multiple shortlistings for prestigious literary prizes. Prior to her visiting role, she served as full-time Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Chichester from 2009–2018.