Prof Frances Weightman

Prof Frances Weightman

Profile

I feel privileged to teach and research in an area which never ceases to excite and interest me personally, and one which I believe is also of crucial importance to the world today.

As for my academic qualifications, I have an MA in Chinese and a PhD in Classical Chinese Fiction, both from the University of Edinburgh. I came to Leeds in 2001 and have been here ever since. 

Responsibilities

  • Director of The Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing

Research interests

I am interested in Chinese fiction of all time periods, and specifically in the fields of Chinese authorial identity, paratexts and Chinese-English literary translation.

I am Founding Director of The Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing, and my current research looks mainly at contemporary Chinese literature, including the dissemination of its translation in English-speaking contexts.

I am currently working on a monograph about Chinese children’s authors for the Bloomsbury Perspectives on Children’s Literature

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Professional memberships

  • Association for Speakers of Chinese as a Second Language (co-founder)
  • European Association for Chinese Studies
  • British Association of Chinese Studies
  • Universities Council for Modern Languages (Exec Board, 2018-2022)
  • Higher Education Academy (Fellow)

Student education

I very much enjoy teaching and consider it a key part of my role, so was delighted to win the University's Partnership Award for Inspirational Teaching. I teach modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level on Chinese literature (contemporary and traditional), modern Chinese history, political and legal documents and Chinese-English translation.

Research groups and institutes

  • Chinese
  • Asia Pacific Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Literary studies
  • Centre for World Literatures

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>