Peter Knowles

Email:

Telephone: 07890994634 

College: College of Humanities
Discipline: Modern Languages
Department: French
Research Centre/Unit: REACT

I'm researching social networks in the medieval literary world, and considering how far they can be usefully compared to their modern day equivalents.

Originally from Langley, near Windsor, I came to Exeter in 2008 to study History. The course led me ever deeper into the world of medieval social history, so much so that come my graduation in 2011, I couldn't resist exploring it some more. So, I undertook a Masters that same same year, and focused on the social and religious history of medieval England and continental Europe. 

During my Masters, keen to further develop my understanding of the period, I was fortunate enough to be awarded a REACT PhD studentship. As such, I am now working in the Modern Languages department, investigating social networks and their inherent forms of play from both medieval and modern perspectives.

Around a third of my PhD study time is spent in London with Antenna International, the market leaders in multimedia guides for heritage sites and cultural spaces. With them, I am designing a digital prototype for an innovative new way to present and explore cultural information, as well as exploring how gamification, social networks, and digital media are being used in modern spaces of culture and heritage. 

Outside of my research, I'm an enthusiastic follower of all things technological, a keen player (and oft-defender) of video games, and a passionate cinema-goer / book-reader / TV-watcher, depending on my mood. I'm also the PGR Liaison representative for Modern Languages within the College of Humanities.