Joseph Harris

Joseph Harris is a Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Royal Holloway, University of London. His research focuses on early modern French literature, particularly theatre, with emphasis on death, violence, and audience spectatorship in works by Corneille, Molière, and others. He teaches courses like 'Villains and Villainy on the Early Modern French Stage,' exploring themes of gender, laughter, passion, and stagecraft. Current projects include a monograph on Corneille's treatment of mortality and a new study on misanthropy in European literature (1650-1850), examining figures from Timon of Athens to Dickens' Scrooge.

Editorial roles include co-editing French Studies (2019-2024) and serving on editorial boards for Early Modern French Studies and Yale French Studies. His work engages intersections of literary theory, cultural history, and gender studies, contributing to UN SDGs related to education and cultural understanding.