Dr. Joan Passey

Biography

Joan Passey is a Senior Lecturer in the English Department at the University of Bristol, specializing in Victorian literature and culture, particularly focusing on coastal and seascape themes. Her research interests encompass transhistorical and transatlantic Gothic literature from the eighteenth century to the present day. Additionally, she engages with topics such as queer ecologies, dark tourism, and regional literatures of Cornwall. Professor Passey's recent monograph, 'Cornish Gothic' (2023), examines themes including ghosts, folklore, and the representation of the sea in relation to historical and contemporary environmental concerns. Currently, she is developing new projects that explore intersections between ecological awareness and queer experiences, along with the representation of monstrous spaces in Victorian literature. She teaches courses on critical issues in literature and has supervised research in her areas of expertise. Her previous roles include Events Officer for the Centre for Environmental Humanities and Co-leader of the Haunted Shores Network. Passey is committed to advancing the study of environmental and Gothic literature and providing accessible education in literary studies.

Research Interests