Christopher Partridge

Professor Christopher Partridge is a faculty member in the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Religion at Lancaster University. His research focuses on cultural history and theory, with specialties in drug cultures, popular music, countercultures, and Western occult thought. He co-edits the series Studies in Religion and Popular Music (Bloomsbury) and Studies in Popular Music (Equinox), demonstrating his leadership in academic publishing. His work bridges interdisciplinary boundaries, exploring how cultural artifacts like music and drugs intersect with religious and philosophical frameworks.

Partridge supervises PhD students, including Joe Price, and maintains an active research agenda on topics such as the sacralization of psychoactive substances and the occult in modern society. His office hours are 12:00–14:00 every Thursday.

Research Interests:

• Psychoactive substances and their cultural and religious dimensions
• The role of popular music in shaping spiritual and countercultural movements
• Western esoteric traditions and their influence on modern thought
• Ufology and its intersections with religious narratives

Publications Trends: His recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the interplay between religion, music, and drug cultures. Key themes include the historical and philosophical underpinnings of psychedelic experiences, the sacralization of cannabis, and the analysis of apocalyptic discourses in music.

Awards and Grants: No specific awards are listed, though his extensive publication record and editorial roles reflect scholarly recognition.

Labs/Teams: He collaborates with academic networks like the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies and contributes to research groups focused on popular music and religion.