Prof Johan Siebers


Prof Johan Siebers
NameProf Johan Siebers
Job titleProfessor of Philosophy of Language and Communication
Research institute
Primary appointmentLaw and Social Sciences
Email addressJ.Siebers@mdx.ac.uk
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6030-9646
Contact categoryAcademic staff

Biography

Biography

I am Professor of Philosophy of Language and Communication, based in the Department of Law and Social Sciences. I am also the University's Theme Director for Sustainable Communities and the Environment. My work is located at the crossroads of philosophy, rhetoric, linguistics and communication studies.

I studied philosophy, Dutch language and literature and general linguistics at Radboud University, Nijmegen, where my teacher (and lifelong friend) was the late Pieter Seuren. I did my MA (in philosophy of language) there. My first academic post was as a research fellow in philosophy at Leiden University, where I obtained my doctorate in 1998.

From 1999-2006 I worked for Royal Dutch Shell in a number of roles, especially on scenario planning, external affairs and communication. During this time I was also a part-time lecturer at Leiden University and a visiting fellow at the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies of the School of Advanced Study, University of London (then called Institute of Germanic and Romance Studies). 

From 2006-2014 I worked at the University of Central Lancashire, first as Senior Lecturer, later Reader in the English Department. I designed and led the MA in Rhetoric there. Since 2015 I have been at Middlesex University, first as Associate Professor and since 2022 as Professor of Philosophy of Language and Communication. I maintain an Associate Fellowship at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, where I am director of the Ernst Bloch Centre for German Thought.

I have held visiting appointments at the Research Centre for Classical German Philosophy, Bochum University; the Department of Rhetoric, University of Tübingen; the Department of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University; the German Department, Sheffield University and St. Mary's University London, among others.

Teaching

Currently I teach communication on the BA Sociology. I also host a public research seminar in German philosophy at the School of Advanced Study. My teaching experiences have included undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in history and theory of rhetoric, history of philosophy, communication theory, English syntax, language in literature, metaphysics and epistemology, social theory, sociology of religion, research methods in the humanities, philosophy of education.

Employment

Professor of Philosophy of Language and Communication
Middlesex University
01 Aug 2022
University Theme Director for Sustainable Communities and the Environment
Middlesex University
01 Aug 2022
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion
Middlesex University
01 Aug 2014
31 Jul 2022
Senior Lecturer, then Reader, English Department
University of Central Lancashire
01 Aug 2006
31 Jul 2014
Associate Fellow and Director, Ernst Bloch Centre for German Thought
Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
01 Aug 2005
Roles in HR, External Affairs, Scenario Planning and Communication
Royal Dutch Shell
01 Aug 1999
31 Jul 2006
Lecturer (part-time)
Leiden University
01 Aug 2001
01 Aug 2003
Research Fellow in Philosophy
Leiden University
01 Aug 1993
31 Jul 1999

Education and qualifications

Grants

Prizes and Awards

External activities

Research outputs

“I’ll show you differences”: Skills, creativity and meaning

Siebers, J. and Cobley, P. 2024. “I’ll show you differences”: Skills, creativity and meaning. Social Epistemology. 38 (1), pp. 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/02691728.2023.2283845

The Barnet Council Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change and Biodiversity

Warren, G. and Siebers, J. 2023. The Barnet Council Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change and Biodiversity. Middlesex University London.

Paying attention to time in communication research

Siebers, J. 2021. Paying attention to time in communication research. in: Facer, K., Siebers, J. and Smith, B. (ed.) Working with time in qualitative research: case studies, theory and practice London, UK Routledge.

Working with time in qualitative research: case studies, theory and practice

Facer, K., Siebers, J. and Smith, B. (ed.) 2021. Working with time in qualitative research: case studies, theory and practice. London Routledge.

Creativity and the ontology of not-yet being

Siebers, J. 2021. Creativity and the ontology of not-yet being. in: Kemp, S. and Anderson, J. (ed.) Futures Oxford, UK Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 161-173

Close reading and distance: between invariance and a rhetoric of embodiment

Cobley, P. and Siebers, J. 2021. Close reading and distance: between invariance and a rhetoric of embodiment. Language Sciences. 84, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langsci.2021.101359

Being as communication: an exploratory model

Siebers, J. 2019. Being as communication: an exploratory model. in: Bergman, M., Kirtiklis, K. and Siebers, J. (ed.) Models of communication: theoretical and philosophical approaches London Routledge. pp. 173-184

Introduction

Bergman, M., Kirtiklis, K. and Siebers, J. 2019. Introduction. in: Bergman, M., Kirtiklis, K. and Siebers, J. (ed.) Models of communication: theoretical and philosophical approaches London Routledge. pp. 1-8

Models of communication: theoretical and philosophical approaches

Bergman, M., Kirtiklis, K. and Siebers, J. (ed.) 2019. Models of communication: theoretical and philosophical approaches. London Routledge.

I interpret you: Davidson and Buber

Dresner, E. and Siebers, J. 2019. I interpret you: Davidson and Buber. The Review of Metaphysics. 73 (1), pp. 109-126.

Ernst Bloch: Revue internationale de philosophie, 2019/3 (n° 289), ISSN 0048-8143

Siebers, J. Siebers, J. (ed.) 2019. Ernst Bloch: Revue internationale de philosophie, 2019/3 (n° 289), ISSN 0048-8143. De Boeck Supérieur.

Transgression: introduction to the special issue on Ernst Bloch

Siebers, J. 2019. Transgression: introduction to the special issue on Ernst Bloch. Revue Internationale de Philosophie. 289 (3,2019), pp. 251-260. https://doi.org/10.3917/rip.289.0251

Philosophy as rhetoric

Siebers, J. 2019. Philosophy as rhetoric. Revue Internationale de Philosophie. 289 (3,2019), pp. 361-374. https://doi.org/10.3917/rip.289.0361

Editorial

Siebers, J. 2019. Editorial. Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication. 10 (1), pp. 3-5. https://doi.org/10.1386/ejpc.10.1.3_2

The Dao of communication [Editorial]

Pablé, A. and Siebers, J. 2018. The Dao of communication [Editorial]. Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication. 9 (2), pp. 103-106. https://doi.org/10.1386/ejpc.9.2.103_2

Exploring the impact of contemplative methods in HE learning and teaching

Siebers, J., Cullen, A., Guest, C., Kerin, L., Peyrefitte, M., Rodriguez, S. and Seoighe, R. 2018. Exploring the impact of contemplative methods in HE learning and teaching. Middlesex University Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2018: Pedagogies Fit for 21st Century Learning. London, UK

Ernst Bloch's geist der utopie after a century: a Janus-Faced reading on the Trail of Hope

Siebers, J. 2018. Ernst Bloch's geist der utopie after a century: a Janus-Faced reading on the Trail of Hope. in: Silberman, M. (ed.) Back to the future: tradition and innovation in German studies Oxford Peter Lang.

The theory of perfective drift

Siebers, J. 2017. The theory of perfective drift. in: Smith, A., Catt, I. and Klyukanov, I. (ed.) Communicology for the Human Sciences: Lanigan and the Philosophy of Communication Oxford Peter Lang. pp. 169-190

Das merke des lesens: Blochs randbemerkungen zu Hegels phänomenologie des geistes

Siebers, J. 2017. Das merke des lesens: Blochs randbemerkungen zu Hegels phänomenologie des geistes. in: Kufeld, K. (ed.) Bloch Almanach Aisthesis Verlag.

‘Die welt gut im gang': der Friedenstopos in Ernst Bloch’s philosophie

Siebers, J. 2016. ‘Die welt gut im gang': der Friedenstopos in Ernst Bloch’s philosophie. in: Vidal, F. and Wild, W. (ed.) Die Utopie des Friedens. Jahrbuch der Ernst-Bloch-Gesellschaft 2016/17 Wuerzburg Koenigshausen & Neumann.

"Die Welt gut im Gang": der Friedenstopos in Blochs Philosophie

Siebers, J. 2016. "Die Welt gut im Gang": der Friedenstopos in Blochs Philosophie. in: Vidal, F. and Wild, W. (ed.) Die Utopie des Friedens: Jahrbuch der Ernst Bloch Gesellschaft 2016/17 Würzburg Königshausen & Neumann. pp. 129-145

Bij Shell werd ik de Marxist die ik nu ben

Siebers, J. and Akkerman, S. 2016. Bij Shell werd ik de Marxist die ik nu ben. Amsterdam Trouw.

The destiny of metaphysics in Russia: an investigation of being and communicative behavior

Siebers, J. 2015. The destiny of metaphysics in Russia: an investigation of being and communicative behavior. Russian Journal of Communication. 7 (1), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/19409419.2015.1007556

Communicating wisdom: An Arts and Humanities-based study of fishing in youth work

Siebers, J., Pahl, K., Steadman-Jones, R., Pool, S., McMillan, A., Escott, H. and Hurcombe, M. 2015. Communicating wisdom: An Arts and Humanities-based study of fishing in youth work. Swindon, UK AHRC.

ДИНАМИКА КОНСТРУИРОВАНИЯ ОБРАЗОВ БУДУЩЕГО: ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ

Lukianova, N., Fell, E. and Siebers, J. 2015. ДИНАМИКА КОНСТРУИРОВАНИЯ ОБРАЗОВ БУДУЩЕГО: ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ. Siberian Journal of Science. 2 (17), pp. 37-46.

Johan Siebers on Bloch, hope and Utopia

Siebers, J. and Barron, N. 2014. Johan Siebers on Bloch, hope and Utopia. Nyx, A Noctournal.

The utopian function of film music

Siebers, J. 2014. The utopian function of film music. in: Mazierska, E. and Kristensen, L. (ed.) Marx at the Movies: Revisiting History, Theory and Practice London Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 46-61

Why drawing, now?

Douglas, A., Ravetz, A., Genever, K. and Siebers, J. 2014. Why drawing, now? Journal of Art & Communities. 6 (2-3), pp. 119-131. https://doi.org/10.1386/jaac.6.2-3.119_1

The Use of the Pen: A Philosophical Improvisation

Siebers, J. 2014. The Use of the Pen: A Philosophical Improvisation. Critical Muslim. 12, pp. 141-149.

The use of the pen: a philosophical improvisation

Siebers, J. 2014. The use of the pen: a philosophical improvisation. Critical Muslim. 12 (3), pp. 141-149.

Authentic Passivity

Siebers, J. 2014. Authentic Passivity. in: Zeilinger, D. (ed.) VorSchein 32: Jahrbuch 2012/2013 der Ernst-Bloch-Assoziation Nürnberg, Germany Antogo. pp. 161-174

The fiery truth of matter

Siebers, J. 2014. The fiery truth of matter. Critical Muslim. 10 (3), pp. 143-152.

The method of speculative philosophy: an essay on the foundations of Whitehead's metaphysics.

Siebers, J. 1998. The method of speculative philosophy: an essay on the foundations of Whitehead's metaphysics. PhD thesis University of Leiden Philosophy

The time of the clock and the time of encounter

Siebers, J., Bastian, M., Douglas, A. and Speed, C. 2013. The time of the clock and the time of encounter. Swindon, UK AHRC.

Ernst Bloch's dialectical anthropology

Siebers, J. 2013. Ernst Bloch's dialectical anthropology. in: Thompson, P. and Zizek, S. (ed.) The privatisation of hope: Ernst Bloch and the future of utopia Duke University Press.

The utopian horizon of communication: Ernst Bloch’s Traces and Johann-Peter Hebel’s Treasure Chest

Siebers, J. 2013. The utopian horizon of communication: Ernst Bloch’s Traces and Johann-Peter Hebel’s Treasure Chest. in: Sell, R., Borch, A. and Lindgren, I. (ed.) The ethics of literary communication: genuineness, directness, indirectness John Benjamins. pp. 189-212

Some foundational conceptions of communication: revising and expanding the traditions of thought

Simonson, P., García-Jiménez, L., Siebers, J. and Craig, R. 2012. Some foundational conceptions of communication: revising and expanding the traditions of thought. Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication. 4 (1), pp. 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1386/ejpc.4.1.73_1

Quietude and identity: the silent core of language

Siebers, J. 2012. Quietude and identity: the silent core of language. Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication. 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.1386/ejpc.4.1.3_1

Community and future in the thought of Ernst Bloch

Siebers, J. 2012. Community and future in the thought of Ernst Bloch. in: Vidal, F. (ed.) Einblicke in Blochsche Philosophie Mössingen Talheimer Verlag.

The measure of the ultimate

Siebers, J. 2012. The measure of the ultimate. in: Herrmann-Sinai, S. and Tegtmeyer, H. (ed.) Metaphysik der Hoffnung: Ernst Bloch als Denker des Humanen Leipzig, Germany Leipzig University Press / Leipziger Universitätsverlag.

'Myth means: the saying word' / 'The Lord said that he would dwell in thick darkness'

Siebers, J. 2011. 'Myth means: the saying word' / 'The Lord said that he would dwell in thick darkness'. in: Hemming, L., Amiridis, K. and Costea, B. (ed.) The movement of Nihilism: Heidegger’s thinking after Nietzsche London Continuum. pp. 144-154

An exploration of the relation between the concepts of 'community' and 'future' in philosophy

Siebers, J. and Fell, E. 2011. An exploration of the relation between the concepts of 'community' and 'future' in philosophy. Swindon, UK AHRC.

Aufenthalt im Unerhoerten : Bloch's reading of Hebel (1926-1965)

Siebers, J. 2011. Aufenthalt im Unerhoerten : Bloch's reading of Hebel (1926-1965). Oxford German Studies. 40 (1), pp. 62-71. https://doi.org/10.1179/007871911x568052

What cannot be said: speech and violence

Siebers, J. 2010. What cannot be said: speech and violence. Journal of Global Ethics. 6 (2), pp. 89-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449626.2010.494356
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