معرفی
Dr. Andrew J P Flack is an Associate Professor in Environmental and Sensory History at the Department of History (Historical Studies) within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Bristol. He is also affiliated with the Cabot Institute for the Environment. His academic journey began with a BA and MA from Bristol, followed by a PhD.
His educational background includes:
- BA (Bristol)
- MA (Bristol)
- PhD (Bristol)
Flack specializes in environmental history with a focus on human engagements with the non-human animal world across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. His research particularly emphasizes the sensory dimensions of these relationships. His current work explores dark environments including caves, the deep ocean, polar regions, and nighttime environments, examining how naturalists accessed and understood these spaces. As a sight-impaired historian, he brings a unique perspective to sensory history, exploring what it means to 'see' and 'know' the world. His research intersects with histories of technology, ability/disability, emotions, and scientific cultures.
His recent publications show a clear trajectory toward sensory environmental history, particularly focusing on darkness as both a physical condition and cultural construct. His work bridges environmental history with disability studies, sensory studies, and the history of science, creating innovative interdisciplinary connections that challenge conventional understandings of human-environment relationships.
His notable awards include:
- University of Bristol Inspiring and Innovative Teaching Award 2024
- University of Bristol Vice-Chancellor's Award for Education 2024
Flack is an experienced educator who teaches a Final Year History unit called 'Dark Pasts' and actively supervises Masters and Doctoral research. He has secured significant research funding including an AHRC Leadership Fellowship (2021-2023) exploring naturalists' understandings of dark-dwelling creatures and their relationship to modern notions of ability and disability. Current projects include 'Listen to Bristol - Feasibility Study' (2025-2026) and 'Brigstow Institute: Flying Dragon' (ongoing since 2017).
He is actively involved with several research groups including the Centre for Environmental Humanities, Centre for Humanities Health and Science, Cabot Institute, City Futures Research, and Bristol Vision Institute, demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary environmental scholarship.
