معرفی
Professor Stephen Bending serves as Head of the English Department at the University of Southampton's Faculty of Arts and Humanities. With a distinguished academic career spanning multiple prestigious institutions, he holds a prominent position in the field of eighteenth-century literary and cultural studies.
His research expertise centers on Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture with specialized focus on Garden History and Landscape Studies. His scholarly work explores the complex relationships between literature, cultural practices, and physical environments during the long eighteenth century. Bending's research particularly examines transatlantic connections in garden design, representations of pleasure spaces, and the gendered dimensions of landscape experiences.
Analysis of Professor Bending's recent publications reveals a consistent thematic focus on gardens as cultural and literary constructs. His work demonstrates particular interest in transatlantic perspectives on landscape design, the intersection of botanical knowledge with literary representation, and the emotional dimensions of spatial experiences. His scholarship increasingly engages with gender perspectives in landscape history and the political dimensions of pleasure gardens.
Professor Bending currently supervises PhD students including Christine McAleavy (PhD English PT). His research has been supported by the Arts & Humanities Research Council, including the project 'Retirement and Disgrace: Women and Gardens in the Eighteenth Century.'
As an active member of the academic community, Bending serves in significant editorial roles including Editor in Chief for Routledge (2017-present), Editor for Arts Journal (2018-2019), and Member of the Editorial Board for the Journal Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes (2018-present).
