An alumnus of Staffordshire University holding undergraduate (1995) and postgraduate degrees (1996) in International Relations, Professor Morton completed his PhD at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in the Department of International Politics (2001).
A Professor of Political Economy at the University of Sydney, his current research interest is in spatial political economy shaped through interdisciplinary concerns across political economy, geographical studies, and historical sociology.
His book Revolution and State in Modern Mexico: The Political Economy of Uneven Development (Rowman & Littlefield, 2011) was the recipient of the 2012 British International Studies Association International Political Economy Group Book Prize and his latest books are the co-authored volume with Andreas Bieler, Global Capitalism, Global War, Global Crisis (Cambridge University Press, 2018) and Henri Lefebvre, On the Rural: Economy, Sociology, Geography (University of Minnesota Press, 2022), co-edited with Stuart Elden.
Recent articles by Professor Morton have explored the registration of capitalist expansion in world literature and his next book is on the frontiers of capital across the US-Mexico border in the novels of Cormac McCarthy.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “Professor Morton has built an impressive reputation for his expertise is in the area of International Political Economy and its relevance to themes of historical sociology, development studies, and geographical studies.
“We are thrilled he is taking up this post at our University and we look forward to welcoming him back to the Potteries very soon.”
Professor Morton said: “As a long-time season ticket holder at Stoke City FC’s Boothen End, I am looking forward to be reacquainted with oatcakes, the A50 and the Bet365 Stadium, and to undertake my new research on the aristocratic wealth of the House of Sutherland at Trentham Estate.
“This is an exciting time to be joining Staffordshire University and I very much look forward to meeting staff and students.”