Malcolm Jones graduated in Russian Studies at The University of Nottingham in 1962, followed by his PhD in 1967. After two years lecturing elsewhere, he returned to a lectureship at the University and was appointed to the Chair of Slavonic Studies in 1980.
His teaching and research interests focused chiefly on Russian literature and intellectual history, and he is best known for his work on Dostoevsky. Apart from leading the department, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, during which time he played a prominent role in promoting and supporting the subject nationally.
After the threats to the subject nationwide that characterised the early 1980s, the department entered a period of stability and growth during the latter part of the decade. Staff and student numbers increased as the department responded to historic events abroad, while the outstanding quality of staff and postgraduate research was recognised in the periodic national Research Assessment Exercises.
Between 1980 and 1997 the University saw many changes, including the modernisation of its undergraduate degree course, now based on modules and credits, and the introduction of student loans. All the same, the department retained the traditional friendly atmosphere for which students remember it, not least because of excellent teaching, the bonding effect of periods of study abroad, the availability of social space in the department and the genial and efficient presence of its departmental secretary.
Malcolm JonesEmeritus Professor