Stephen Hobden

Stephen Hobden is a Reader at the University of East London's Department of Childhood & Social Care. His research bridges critical international relations theory with posthumanist perspectives, examining intersections of power, species boundaries, and political ecology.

Key research areas:

• Posthuman critiques of anthropocentrism in IR
• Zoonotic politics and biosecurity governance
• Materialist analyses of ecological crises
• Emancipatory political frameworks beyond human exceptionalism

Recent publications develop theoretical frameworks for analyzing non-human agency in global politics. Authored 'Critical Theory and International Relations' monograph (2023) synthesizing Frankfurt School critical theory with contemporary IR debates. Collaborates extensively with Prof. Erika Cudworth on posthumanist political theory.