Seán Hand

Seán Hand is a Professor of French Studies and Director of Research for the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick. He served as the first Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Europe) of the University of Warwick from 2017-2023, during which time he was a founding Vice-President of the EUTOPIA European university alliance. His academic career at Warwick includes serving as Dean of Warwick in California (2016-17), Head of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (2014-16), and Head of the Department of French Studies (2008-2011). He joined the University of Warwick as a Professor of French Studies in 2005.

Academic Background

• MA and DPhil from Oxford University
• MBA and DLitt from University of Warwick

Research Interests

Seán Hand's research focuses on writings in French from the past century, with particular emphasis on 20th and 21st century French philosophy and literature. He has made significant contributions to Levinas studies, having published the first two monographs in English on Michel Leiris and bringing Emmanuel Levinas's philosophy to a wider audience through translations, a Reader, critical essays, and monographs. His work spans post-Holocaust studies, Jewish writing and historiography, and contemporary French thought. More recently, he has turned his attention to ecosophical writings and the intersection of philosophy with ecological concerns, particularly examining Levinas in the context of the Anthropocene.

His scholarly trajectory demonstrates a consistent engagement with major figures in French intellectual history including Derrida, Duras, Grimbert, Jabès, Lacan, and Nancy, while also exploring broader themes of postmodernism, ethics, and literary theory. His recent publications reveal a growing interest in the relationship between philosophical thought and environmental concerns.

Scientific Awards and Honors

• Chevalier des Palmes Académiques (2004)
• Member of the Academia Europaea
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Advising and Grants

Professor Hand actively invites applications from doctoral and post-doctoral researchers interested in working with him. His extensive international network, evidenced by his numerous visiting positions and advisory roles at institutions worldwide, provides significant opportunities for collaborative research and academic exchange. His leadership roles in European academic alliances, particularly as founding Vice-President of EUTOPIA, have facilitated numerous international research partnerships and funding opportunities. His work as an assessor for major funding bodies including the AHRC, European Science Foundation, and several national research councils demonstrates his influence in shaping research agendas across multiple countries.

Labs and Research Teams

As Director of Research for the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Professor Hand oversees multiple research initiatives and teams within the school. His leadership in establishing the Warwick-Ukraine Working Group during 2022-23 demonstrates his capacity to mobilize academic resources in response to geopolitical crises. His involvement with the EUTOPIA European university alliance has created a pan-European research network that facilitates collaborative projects across multiple institutions. While specific laboratory structures aren't mentioned in the text, his work clearly supports interdisciplinary research teams focused on French studies, European integration, and philosophical inquiry.