60 seconds with... Professor Azzedine Haddour

Professor Azzedine Haddour's Inaugural Lecture

Tell us a little about your research…

I attended Sussex University to study Comparative Literature, where I ultimately wrote a DPhil thesis on Camus and French Algerian writers, specialising in postcolonial studies. Although I first encountered Fanon in Algeria, it was in Stoke-on-Trent that I truly discovered his significance after completing a translation project. This project involved translating Sartre’s writings on colonialism and neocolonialism, which, together with my subsequent extensive research on Fanon, preoccupied me for more than two decades.

Why is your research important?

For me, literary ‘beauty’ is consonant with ‘truth’. I am not motivated by the pursuit of practical utility; however, my research consistently remains relatable and relevant to current political debates due to the inherent political and ethical necessity of the subject matter. Through my research, I have learnt that literature – in its various forms and manifestations – is the most sensitive index of cultural change, and that research is not a passive, contemplative activity.

What inspires you in your work?

It is glib, perhaps even untrue, to say that Fanon, Sartre, Barthes, and Marx influenced me. What truly influenced me was my parents’ struggle with the demands of postcolonial life in an Algeria impoverished by French colonialism. They showed me that, despite having no resources, they were resilient and never embattled.

What has been your most memorable career moment so far?

The research I carried out in the archives for my forthcoming book changed my life: it taught me a great deal about my personal life. It is incredible what boxes of dusty, crumbling papers may contain – vital aspects of history yet to emerge.

What passions/hobbies do you have outside of work?

Football is one of the hobbies I have outside of work. It is an incredible invention that involves organisation with a clear purpose: to achieve a goal.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

I am currently reading Léon Damas’s Pigments (1937), a powerful collection of poems that explores racism and Western colonial culture. The book was censored by the French government, which viewed poetry as a threat to state security.