The Faculty is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Neil Murphy, renowned scholar in 20th and 21st Century fiction, and particularly Irish Literature, in the new academic year. Professor Murphy was recruited through the CUHK Vice-Chancellor Strategic Faculty Recruitment Programme.
Professor Murphy received his Ph.D. in English Literature in 1999 from University College Dublin. He has served at prestigious institutions including the American University of Beirut (1999-2000), NIE NTU Singapore (2000-2006), and most recently at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). At NTU, he held significant leadership roles such as Head of English and Director of the NTU/National Arts Council Asia Creative Writing Programme and Chair, School of Humanities. Over the years, Professor Murphy has authored or edited 14 books, served as guest editor for major journal issues, and contributed numerous book chapters and articles, all of which help position him as a leading international voice in his field.
His acclaimed work on contemporary Irish writers like Flann O’Brien, Dermot Healy, and Aidan Higgins has gained international attention both within academia and mainstream media. Notably, his co-edited volume The Short Fiction of Flann O’Brien was shortlisted for the Flann O’Brien Society best book award in 2015, while featuring prominently in major news outlets such as The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, and Irish Times among others.
Professor Murphy chose CUHK Arts as his next academic home base because of its international reputation and commitment to the humanities. He stated: “I have long been familiar with the impressive work produced by colleagues in the Faculty, particularly the Department of English. I keenly look forward to collaborating with colleagues in both the Faculty and department.”
As for his future endeavors within Department of English, Professor Murphy aims to contribute through research projects on contemporary literature, further enhance the development of international partnerships, and help strengthen the creative writing programme. Furthermore, he aims to broaden discussions concerning humanities’ role and diversity beyond academia.
Apart from his academic pursuits, Professor Murphy also enjoys nature conservation – a love nurtured by growing up amidst Ireland’s tranquil countryside. He eagerly awaits exploring CUHK’s beautiful campus, which is a famous haven for many varieties of flora and fauna.
