Neil Curry

My research interests are formed around a re-positioning of the relationship between Critical Realism and Marxism. I explored this relationship by critically analysing the relationship between intransitive/transitive dimensions developed by Roy Bhaskar and quasi-transcendentals discussed by thinkers such as Derrida and Laclau. I have developed a research profile around exploring the relationship between Marxism and Post-Marxism and exploring some of the debates that emerged out of the seminal work of Althusser and his continued political and philosophical influence. More recently I have become interested in Marxism and globalization and I am currently researching and writing on global logistics and the possibility of transcritique.

I joined the Sociology team at the University of Brighton in 2008 having previously worked at the University of Cumbria for the previous seven years in the School of Applied Social Sciences. Before this I worked in a number of universities teaching sociology and worked on a variety of research projects for the Policy Studies Institute. I completed my PhD at the University of Southampton in 2003 and also completed an MSc in Political Sociology from Birkbeck, University of London. I also have a PGCE in Further and Higher Education which was obtained from the University of Greenwich and have been a member of the Higher Education Academy since 2001.

I teach on many of the core aspects of the sociology degree programme including ‘Sociological Imaginations’, ‘Foundations of Sociology’, ‘Theorising the Social World’ and ‘Global Cultures’. I also teach political sociology including topics such as Human Rights, Global Movements and Global City Spaces.  My approach to teaching is based around using real world examples and drawing on the lived experiences of students in order to develop a grounded understanding of complex ideas and theories. I like to get students to think about how sociology can help make sense of contemporary issues and I encourage students to raise and discuss their ideas in a supportive environment in an active and critical way.