Mr Thomas Payre

I am delighted to be joining Aberystwyth University as a Language Tutor in French, bringing with me both a love of teaching and a wide range of academic interests. Originally from the beautiful French Alps, I am specialised in 20th- and 21st-century French philosophy and literature, with my research centering on phenomenology and what I coined as literary-phenomenology. I am also drawn to existentialism, critical and feminist theory, theories of ‘hauntings’ and the negritude movement. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for French language and culture with any of my fellow travellers, while also connecting across disciplines and perspectives.

Outside academia, one of my big passions is cheerleading… and, fun fact, in 2024 I had the unique chance to represent Team Wales at the ICU Worlds Cheerleading Championships instead of Team France! I love being surrounded by friendly people, whether through sports, research, or events, and I am always keen to connect with others to discuss their personal aspirations.

Lecturer

• FR11120 - Introduction to French Studies
• FR11740 - French Language (Beginners)
• FR11940 - French Language (Non-Beginners)
• FR22140 - French Language (Intermediate)
• FR33440 - French Language (Advanced)

Tutor

• FR33440 - French Language (Advanced)
• FR33240 - French Language (Intermediate: Minor Language)
• FR21740 - French Language (Beginners: Minor Language)

This year, I will primarily be involved in teaching French language across the different undergraduate levels, focusing on oral practice, listening, and tutorials. I will also deliver few lectures, particularly in the second semester, and I am still keen to support other modules if the opportunity arises.

I am excited to share my passion for my mother tongue in the classroom, and I look forward to engaging with students across this diverse range of courses.

My research currently follows a happily wide-ranging path, drawing on overlapping fields and themes from existentialism and phenomenology to 20th- and 21st-century French literature, creative writing, feminist philosophy, critical theory, and digital culture… I am proud to continue working with the Haunting(s): Multidisciplinary Approaches research group, which I founded at Cardiff University in 2024, while also working on several forthcoming book chapters, articles and blog posts, and editing a collective volume. Alongside these projects, I am actively involved in international research communities as an Executive Committee Member of the Society for European Philosophy (SEP), a Member-at-Large of the North American Sartre Society (NASS), and a participant of the UK Sartre Society annual conferences.