Stephen Morton

Professor Stephen Morton holds the position of Professor of English & Postcolonial Literature at the University of Southampton. He leads research in postcolonial and world literatures, decolonial studies, and the intersections of visual culture with economic theory. His current projects explore allegorical forms in postcolonial literature (Allegories of the World System) and the economic legacy of colonial debt (In the Debt Colony). He has held leadership roles including Head of Research (2019-2023) and Director of Taught Postgraduate Programmes (2015-2018).

Education history includes studies at Leeds, Nottingham, and Sheffield Universities, alongside work at the Whitney Museum of American Art. His teaching focuses on postcolonial world literatures, modern allegory, feminist thought, and representations of insurgency. He supervises PhD students in English studies and serves on editorial boards for the Journal of Commonwealth Literature and Manchester University Press.

Research interests span allegory in global contexts, postcolonial economic systems, and decolonial methodologies. His interdisciplinary approach connects literary analysis with visual culture, economics, and critical theory. He has published widely on topics including colonial debt narratives, subaltern studies, and postcolonial urbanism.

• Completed research projects include 'Migration and Terrorism' (British Academy funded) and 'A Postcolonial History of Rehabilitation'
• Supervises 4 current PhD students and has mentored multiple past researchers
• External roles: Editorial board member for Manchester University Press (2018-present), reviewer for New Formations (2016-present)