Carl Kilcourse

Dr. Carl Kilcourse is a Lecturer in East Asian History at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in Chinese cultural history with a focus on the intersection of Christianity, revolutionary ideologies, and cross-cultural encounters in 19th- and 20th-century China. He holds a PhD from the University of Manchester (2013) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017). His research emphasizes how foreign belief systems like Christianity and Communism were localized through vernacular texts such as translated Bibles.

Education:

• PhD History, University of Manchester (2013)
• MA History, University of Manchester (2009)
• BA (Hons) Religions and Theology, University of Manchester (2008)

Research Interests:

• History of Christianity in China
• Chinese revolutionary ideologies and rebellions (e.g., Taiping Rebellion)
• Sino-Western religious and political interactions
• Role of language and vernacular texts in cultural transmission

Research Outputs:

• Taiping Theology (2016): Analyzes the Taiping Rebellion’s localized Christian identity through translated texts.
• Current project: Examines Taiping rebels’ interactions with Protestant missionaries in Nanjing, focusing on religious and political conflicts.

Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017)

Advising & Resources:

• Supervises postgraduate students in Chinese cultural history and Christianity in China.
• Possesses access to original documents on the Taiping Rebellion and Protestant missions.