Matthew Dimmock

Professor Matthew Dimmock is Professor of Early Modern Studies (English) in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities at the University of Sussex. He has been at Sussex since 2003, initially as a Lecturer in English Literature before being promoted to Professor in early 2013. In 2021, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, recognizing his significant contributions to historical scholarship.

Professor Dimmock's educational background includes a BA and MA in English from the University of Leeds, followed by a PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London, completed in 2002. His doctoral research explored how Islam and the Ottoman Empire were understood in early modern English culture, particularly representations of the "terrible Turk" on the professional stage. Following his PhD, he held visiting positions at the University of Leiden and Queen Mary, University of London, before joining Sussex.

Professor Dimmock's research focuses on Early Modern English Literature and History, with particular emphasis on notions of 'otherness' related to cultural, racial and religious difference, especially concerning Islam. His work examines Christian and 'Western' depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, archival materials related to diplomacy, and early modern English perceptions of non-European cultures. Recent projects include explorations of early modern dramatizations of race in collaboration with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and studies of early modern depictions of China with the Red Dragonfly theatre company.

His publication record spans from 2005 to the present, with recent works including "Encounters with the East" (2025) and "Mapping the World at the Dawn of the British Empire" (2025). His research consistently addresses themes of cultural encounter, religious difference, and early modern global connections, demonstrating a sustained scholarly trajectory focused on how early modern England engaged with the wider world.

• 'ELR Outstanding Essay' prize (2019-20) for "Tudor Turks: Ottomans Speaking English in Early Modern Sultansbriefe"
• Elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2021)
• "Elizabethan Globalism" named one of NPR's Books of 2019

Professor Dimmock has secured significant research funding throughout his career, including current support from the AHRC Sussex IAA (2022-2027). Previous grants include projects funded by the Leverhulme Trust ("Reorienting the English Renaissance," "Fabricating Muhammad"), British Academy, and Arts and Humanities Research Council. His supervision record includes numerous PhD students working on diverse topics related to early modern cultural encounters, religious difference, and representations of 'otherness.'

Professor Dimmock maintains active collaborations with cultural institutions including Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and Red Dragonfly theatre company, demonstrating his commitment to connecting academic research with public engagement and performance. His current research includes a book on the Elizabethan navigational genius John Davis and continued exploration of early modern global connections.