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Nikos Mylonas

Nikos Mylonas, MLaC alumnus

Nikos wrote a PhD in French Studies under the supervision of Gerald Moore and Jesse Proudfoot, and graduated in 2023.

What was your PhD topic?

My PhD thesis developed a technophilosophical approach to addiction, integrating insights from evolutionary psychology, French continental philosophy, and the medical humanities. I argued that addiction emerges as a structural possibility within the human–technical relation—that is, in the ways we as biological organisms engage with our environments through psychoactive substances as technical artefacts. I am grateful for the supervision by Gerald Moore and Jesse Proudfoot, who are both experts in the field of critical addiction studies.

What do you do now?

I have been working in Manchester as a postdoctoral researcher for an NHS trust for two years, conducting and publishing empirical studies on addiction treatment and healthcare provision for people experiencing homelessness and other forms of socioeconomic deprivation. In my free time, I am writing my theoretical publications and my monograph titled “Medical Humanities of Addiction: Seven Key Concepts”.

What was your favourite part of your PhD studies at Durham?

Durham has a strong tradition and scholarly community dedicated to medical humanities, and it was the ideal university for my project. Also, seeing the glorious Cathedral every day!

How did your PhD studies prepare you for what you do now? 

People are often surprised at how interdisciplinary my work on addiction is. However, I strongly believe that the best scholarly work happens “at the borders” of disciplines, where dialogue and doubt can cross-fertilise. This was a key lesson from my time in Durham and the colleagues I worked with in the Institute of Medical Humanities.

What is the most important piece of advice you'd like to give to PhD students of languages and literatures?

I would advise them to take the time to read the entire corpus of their favourite author in its original language, even if it is unrelated to their research project. It is a transformative experience. I did try to read all the works by Gore Vidal, but I still have a few to go!

What is your favourite memory of Durham? 

Meeting my girlfriend and lots of good friends.

 

You can find more about my work on LinkedIn.