Matthew Rubery

Professor Matthew Rubery is a leading scholar in modern literature, media history, and reading practices at Queen Mary University of London. He has held the position since 2010, following roles at the University of Leeds and the University of Pennsylvania. His research explores intersections between literature, media, and disability studies, with a focus on Victorian fiction and the history of the audiobook. Key publications include The Untold Story of the Talking Book (2016), Reader’s Block: A History of Reading Differences (2022), and Undercover: Victorian Investigative Journalism in Fact and Fiction (2024).

Notable awards include the European Society for the Study of English Book Award and recognition from the Association for Recorded Sound Collections. Rubery’s work bridges academic and public engagement, including op-eds on audiobooks and frequent media appearances. His research has been supported by major grants from institutions like the Wellcome Trust and the National Endowment for the Humanities.