Kester Richardson-Dawes

Kester Richardson-Dawes is a PhD candidate and Guest Lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), and Arcadia University. His research focuses on Walter Benjamin’s radio broadcasts, framing them as central to Benjamin’s unorthodox Marxism. He co-organized QMUL Strategic Research Initiative-funded events on sound cultures and is preparing a monograph based on his thesis. Richardson-Dawes teaches modules on critical theory, modernism, and first-year university transition at QMUL and Arcadia.

Education: BA and MA in English at QMUL; current PhD candidate.

Research Interests: Walter Benjamin’s theory of art and technology, radio’s role in cultural dissemination, auditory media, and critical pedagogy. His edited volume Radio Benjamin (co-edited with Lecia Rosenthal) translates Benjamin’s radio texts into English for the first time, highlighting their significance in understanding his oeuvre.

Collaborations: Co-organized events with Dr. Rhiannon Moss, Dr. Ella Finer (QMUL), and Dr. Claire Hurley (Kent) on sound cultures. Supervised by Prof. Paul Hamilton and Dr. Sam Halliday.

Grants: Funded by QMUL Strategic Research Initiative for events on radio and sound studies.