Faculty Spotlight: Martin Munro, Professor of French and Francophone Studies

Martin Munro is an Eminent Scholar and the Winthrop-King Professor of French and Francophone Studies in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, part of Florida State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as director of the Winthrop-King Institute for Contemporary French and Francophone Studies.

Tell us a little about your background.

I am from Inverness in Scotland. I studied in Aberdeen and worked in Ireland and Trinidad before coming to FSU. I have been here for 10 years, six as director of the Winthrop-King Institute.

When did you first become interested in Francophone Caribbean literature and culture?

At university in Aberdeen. I took a course taught by Michael Syrotinski and Celia Britton, who both inspired me to study further. Professor Britton became my thesis supervisor and a valued mentor.

What are your current research interests, and what makes you passionate about them?

I work on the Caribbean, principally on Haiti. I am working on a project on sound cultures in the Caribbean. I have a new interest in Native American Francophone writing from Canada. I would hope to work on that area some more in the future. The passion is in the original works; I just try to tap into that and understand what the authors, artists and musicians are saying.

What do you want the public to know about your research? Why is your topic important?

That Caribbean writers and artists have much to say about the Americas in general, that they can tell us much about, for instance, race, class and gender, that U.S. models are not the only ways of understanding these issues. It is important to be open and listen to others, as that helps you grow and evolve as a person and a country. Once you stop that, the opposite happens.

Who are your role models? Who has influenced you most in your life?

I don't really have role models. My family and friends are the most important things to me.

What brought you to Florida State University? Why do you enjoy working at FSU?

I like being close to the Caribbean and Quebec. I like that Florida is evolving, that it is a relatively new place with people from many different places. I like that FSU has a diverse student body, with many first-generation students, as that is my experience, too. We have a growing number of Caribbeanist scholars and students, and that is also exciting.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I like it all, really.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Finding time to do research can be tricky.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I watch soccer. Celtic FC are my team.

I also listen to music. I like to hear good new music.

If your students only learned one thing from you (of course. hopefully they learn much more than that), what would you hope it to be?

Humility, hard work, honesty, and that all people are equal.