Dr Alexander Hobday

My research and teaching interests are in the literature of the long eighteenth-century, the relationship between literature and intellectual history, and the value of the humanities in contemporary culture. 

I am currently writing a book, derived from my PhD thesis, entitled 'Forms of Happiness: Hedonism, Subjectivism, and Eudaimonia in Eighteenth-Century Life Writing'. Articles derived from my research have appeared in journals such as The Wordsworth Circle, Romanticism, and Literature Compass.

In the classroom, my teaching philosophy reflects a constructivist approach, fostering a learning environment where students actively engage with and build on prior knowledge. Since 2016, I have supervised and taught courses in literature spanning 1500-1870, alongside modules in philosophy and literature, gender and sexuality, and academic study skills. In August 2025, I achieved the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Drawing on pedagogical research, I prioritize helping students develop assessment literacy—equipping them to understand and meet evaluative criteria with confidence. My goal is to cultivate critical thinkers who can interrogate texts and contexts while connecting historical perspectives to present-day cultural and ethical concerns. I aim to inspire a reflective and analytical approach to learning that students can carry into their future studies and beyond.