Malcolm McLaughlin

Malcolm McLaughlin is a Professor of Cultural History at the University of East Anglia (UEA), affiliated with the School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies. He currently serves as Associate Dean for Employability in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, having previously been Head of School (Art, Media and American Studies) from 2016 to 2022.

His research focuses on 19th- and 20th-century cultural history, particularly in the United States and Great Britain. Key themes include media’s role in shaping cultural and political attitudes, environmental ideas, tourism, sportswriting, and the intersections of race, class, and democracy. Current projects explore outdoor sportswriting’s relationship to environmental and national identity, the history of tourism in Yosemite National Park, and circus heritage in Great Yarmouth.

Recent publications examine Theodore Roosevelt’s environmental legacy, seaside circus architecture, and the cultural narratives around sport and leisure. His work bridges local and global contexts, analyzing how media and material culture influence societal understandings of identity and history.

McLaughlin has secured grants from the Leverhulme Trust, Arts and Humanities Research Council, and other organizations. His advisory roles span diverse topics, including urban riots in 1960s America, the NAACP’s civil rights efforts, and German-American communities in Boston.

Collaborative projects include interdisciplinary studies on African artists’ use of sculpture and the impact of digital archives on academic research. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and cultural preservation.