Peter Knight

Peter Knight is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Manchester, affiliated with the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (English, American Studies & Creative Writing). He focuses on conspiracy theories and cultural approaches to finance, with over two decades of research grants and leadership in major interdisciplinary projects.

• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG151: United States)
• Co-editor of Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories

His research reconfigures conspiracy theory analysis through cultural lenses, challenging psychological dismissals. Key projects include Everything Is Connected (AHRC, 2016-20) and REDACT (EU CHANSE, 2022-25). Publications span Routledge, Edinburgh UP, and Cambridge UP.

Recent work with Clare Birchall and Michael Butter explores coronavirus pandemic conspiracies, while his Reading the Market (2016) examines Gilded Age financial narratives. He co-curated the Show Me the Money exhibition (2014-16), visualizing financial history.

Scientific Awards
• BAAS Book Prize (2017)

Peter supervises projects on topics like 19th-20th century American literature, digital conspiracy theories, and financial epistemology. His media commentary (The Conversation, BBC) addresses public understanding of economic and conspiratorial discourse.