Dr Craig Blunt

BA French with International Studies (1991), MA French Studies (1992) and PhD French Studies (2000) all awarded by the University of Warwick.

I was born and brought up in the Midlands. I went to the local comprehensive school before going onto the local VIth form. At the time, it was a toss-up between Maths and Modern Languages as to which discipline I would pursue. In the end, I chose French and allied this with a growing interest in Politics and International Relations. My undergraduate degree allowed me to pursue both of these themes and I was also able to combine both in my postgraduate research. The dual focus on France and all things political is now a key feature of my teaching. Even the Maths has made a comeback. As the Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment for the College of Arts and Law, I do a fair bit of statistical analysis.

I teach on all years of the undergraduate programme. In year 1, I convene La France moderne 1, a survey of socio-political changes in France post 1945. In year 2, I teach on La France moderne 2, a continuation of the ground covered in France moderne 1 but with a greater focus on the idea of the French Republican tradition. In the final year, I teach on the core language module, focusing in particular on translation into English and I run a specialist final year option on the Algerian War.

In 2005, I was awarded a University of Birmingham Teaching Fellowship and in 2012, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Head of College’s award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

I am currently Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Joint Honours Senior Tutor (Admissions and Recruitment) for the College of Arts and Law. I work closely with applicants and with my fellow Admissions Tutors and serve on a number of College and University committees as part of this role.

I am also the Year 1 Welfare Tutor in the Department of Modern Languages.

Outside work I enjoy playing 6-a-side football, squash and tennis as well as watching most sports. I work my way through a fair few novels and have been known to devour the odd box set.