Esther Leslie

Esther Leslie is a Professor of Political Aesthetics at Birkbeck, University of London, within the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication. Her work bridges critical theory, cultural studies, and philosophy, with a focus on Walter Benjamin, Marxism, and the intersections of art, politics, and technology.

Leslie’s research explores themes such as digital surveillance, environmental humanities, and the legacy of avant-garde movements. She has authored influential books including Liquid Crystals: The Art and Science of a Fluid Form (2016), Walter Benjamin: Overpowering Conformism (2000), and Synthetic Worlds: Nature, Art and the Chemical Industry (2005). Her recent work addresses post-pandemic urban environments, the philosophy of time, and the relationship between humans and nature.

Her publications span journals like Crisis and Critique, Journal of Visual Culture, and Third Text, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Leslie collaborates on projects like Deeper in the Pyramid (2023) and has edited volumes on Walter Benjamin and Stan Brakhage. Her work often critiques capitalist and colonialist pedagogies while advocating for radical aesthetic and political frameworks.