James Moran

James Moran is Professor of Modern English Literature and Drama in the School of English at the University of Nottingham. He serves as the Lead for Cultures and Communication Global Research Theme at the university, coordinating interdisciplinary research across various fields. With a career spanning since 2004 at Nottingham, Moran has established himself as a leading scholar in modern Anglophone literature and theatre.

His academic background includes an MA and PhD from the University of Cambridge. His scholarly journey has led him to significant academic recognition and diverse collaborations both within and beyond academia.

Moran's research primarily focuses on modern anglophone literature with particular interest in twentieth-century Irish and British theatre. His work reevaluates famous writers like DH Lawrence, George Bernard Shaw, and WB Yeats while also recovering writings of less well-known figures such as Kate O'Brien. He examines cultural, political, and social contexts of literary works, with recent projects exploring modern tragedy, fake news, and theatrical modernism. His approach is deeply interdisciplinary, working with scholars from varied methodological backgrounds and external partners including the BBC and the National Theatre.

His publication record shows a consistent engagement with Irish drama, particularly the works of Sean O'Casey, and British modernist theatre. Recent work explores intersections between literature, performance, and contemporary social issues including pandemic experiences and disinformation. His scholarship bridges historical analysis with pressing contemporary concerns.

Moran has received significant recognition for his work:

• Philip Leverhulme Prize winner
• British Academy Mid-Career Fellow
• Member of the collaborative board of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature

Throughout his career, Moran has been actively involved in academic leadership and public engagement. He has held numerous administrative roles including director of research, deputy-head of school, senior tutor, and head of drama and creative writing at Nottingham. His work extends beyond traditional academia through regular media appearances, including a decade-long monthly book-review feature on BBC Radio Nottingham (2010-2020), appearances on BBC TV's Who Do You Think You Are?, and collaborations with cultural institutions like the Royal National Theatre. He has directed theatre works including the US premiere of D.H. Lawrence's play 'Altitude' at the Taos Center for the Arts.

Moran maintains an active international scholarly presence with visiting fellowships at Harvard University, University of Maynooth (2024-25), University of New Mexico (2022), and University of Texas at Austin (2019). His work demonstrates a commitment to making literary scholarship relevant to contemporary social and political concerns while maintaining rigorous academic standards.