Professor Roderick Main

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Email
rmain@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 874842
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Location
5A.207, Colchester Campus
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Academic support hours
Mondays 2 - 3 pm Tuesdays 12 - 1 pm Otherwise by appointment; please email
Profile
Biography
I have a BA and MA in Classics from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Religious Studies from Lancaster University. I joined the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at 糖心Vlog (formerly the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies) as a visiting research fellow in 1997 and was appointed as a lecturer in 2000. I have had many roles in the department, including Course Director for the MA Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies between 2002 and 2009 and Director (i.e., Head of Department) between 2008 and 2012. I am currently Deputy Head of Department as well as Director of the Centre for Myth Studies. From 2014 to 2016 I was seconded to a University role as Deputy Dean (Education) in the Faculty of Social Sciences. My teaching and research mainly focus on the work of Carl Gustav Jung, especially in relation to religion, mythology, literature, and society. My publications have engaged in particular with Jung鈥檚 concept of synchronicity. From 2016 to 2018 I was the Principal Investigator on an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project titled 鈥樷淥ne World鈥: logical and ethical implications of holism鈥, which resulted in two books (co-edited with Christian McMillan and David Henderson): Holism: Possibilities and Problems (Routledge, 2020) and Jung, Deleuze, and the Problematic Whole (Routledge, 2021). I was invited to deliver the 2021 Zurich Lecture Series in Analytical Psychology at the International School of Analytical Psychology, Zurich, which resulted in my latest book, Breaking the Spell of Disenchantment: Mystery, Meaning, and Metaphysics in the Work of C. G. Jung (Chiron Publications, 2022). I welcome applications for doctoral study in the following areas: Historical, philosophical, religious, and cultural contexts of the work of C. G. Jung; Depth psychology (especially Jungian psychology), religion, and modernity; Analytical psychology and society; Synchronicity; Myth; Western esotericism; Holism I am currently supervising the following PhD students: Reginald Ajuonuma, 'Archetypes as emplotment: A narrative approach to Jungian psychology' Jingchao Zeng, 'A practice of esotericism or psychology: Adaptations of Jungian ideas to divinatory techniques' Antje Barber, 'A new perspective on Erich Neumann's contribution to the concept of the transpersonal through examination of his own works on Hasidism' Yunlan Fang, 'Jung and Tao: A comparative analysis of analytical psychology and Taoism regarding major concepts' Sulagna Sengupta, 'The narrative myth of the Ramayana: The anima in individuation' Rohan Naidoo, 'The problem of identity in Buddhist modernism: What contribution can analytical psychology make to this area?' Robert Langan, 鈥楯ung and Spinoza: Search for the blessed self鈥 Yichi Zhang, 鈥楤ion, Buddhism, and Chinese culture鈥 (co-supervised with Professor Matt ffytche) Naoko Nakamura, 'Japanese mentality: Subjectivity, consciousness, and ego-self relationships' Luis Moris, 'Post-mortal phenomena, C. G. Jung, and his psychology' I have supervised the following successful doctoral theses: Stefano Carpani, 'Absolute freedom. The I+I (individuation + individualization) as a metanarrative of self-development in a second-late-modern society' (2023, PhD; completed supervision begun by Professor Andrew Samuels) John Boyle, ''Before and after science: Esoteric traces in the formation of psychoanalysis' (2023, PhD) Stephen Claffey, 'Psychological surrender: A phenomenological study interpreted from an analytical psychology perspective' (2022, PhD) Adriana Giotta, 'Clinical, cultural, and personal dimensions of fashion modelling as a basis for phenomenological and depth psychological exploration of femininity in Western societies' (2021, PhD; completed supervision begun by Professor Andrew Samuels) Huseyin Firat, 'A comparative study of Jungian psychology and Sufism' (2020, PhD) Mark Saban, 鈥樷淭wo souls, alas鈥︹: Jung鈥檚 two personalities and the making of analytical psychology鈥 (2019, PhD; co-supervised with Professor Matt ffytche) Henriette Heide-Jorgensen, 'Religion and transformation' (2019, PhD) Orsolya Lukacs, 鈥楥. 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Jung and Albert Einstein: From the physical to the psychical relativity of space and time鈥 (2018, PhD; co-supervised with Dr Kevin Lu) Xiao You, 'Archetype and archetypal image in Chinese myths, legends, and tales' (2018, PhD) Steve Myers, 'Mythology for Christians: Dreaming onwards the Christian myth' (2017, PhD) Valeria Cespedes Musso, 'Marian apparitions in cultural contexts: Applying Jungian depth psychological concepts to mass visions of the Virgin Mary' (2017, PhD) Giovanni Colacicchi, 'Jung and ethics: A conceptual exploration' (2016, PhD) Patrick Schotanus, 'The archetypal market hypothesis: A complex psychology perspective on the market's mind' (2016, PhD; co-supervised with Professor Andrew Wood, 糖心Vlog Business School) Ann Addison, 鈥楢 study of transference phenomena in the light of Jung鈥檚 psychoid concept鈥 (2016, PhD; completed supervision begun by Professor Karl Figlio) Christian McMillan, 'The image of thought in Jung's Whole-Self: A critique' (co-supervised with Dr Matt ffytche) (2015, PhD) Christina Sjostrum, 'Searches for s/Self: Personal and spiritual transformation in Jung's psychology and holistic spirituality' (2015, PhD) Teodora Velletri, 'Mircea Eliade and C. G. Jung: A comparative study' (2015, PhD) Marcel van den Akker, '"To be full of things is to be empty of God": Renunciation in Catholicism and analytical psychology' (2013, PhD) Mathew Mather, 'The alchemical Mercurius: Esoteric symbol of Jung's life and works' (2013, PhD) David Henderson, 'Apophatic elements in the theory and practice of psychoanalysis: Pseudo-Dionysius and C. G. Jung' (2012, PhD; external supervisor for Goldsmiths College, University of London) Kevin Lu, 'Jung and history' (2011, PhD) Christine Driver, 'The Holy Mother and the shadow of death: The psychological impact of conflated shadows and Catholicism' (2009, D. An. Psych.) Lloyd Keane, 'Routes of wholeness: Jung and the western esoteric tree of life' (2006, PhD) Trudy Bendayan, 'Ecce mulier: Nietzsche and the eternal feminine -- an analytical psychological perspective' (2005, PhD) Lucy Huskinson, 'Nietzsche and Jung: The whole self in the union of opposites' (2002, PhD; co-supervised with Professor Simon Critchley)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Historical, philosophical, religious and cultural contexts of the work of C G Jung
Depth psychology (especially Jungian psychology), religion and modernity
Analytical psychology and society
Synchronicity
Myth
Conferences and presentations
Jung and Pauli鈥檚 holistic epistemology
Invited presentation, Workshop on 鈥楶sychoid Processes and the Mind-Matter Problem: Revisiting Carl Jung and Commemorating Giles Clark鈥, Ascona, Switzerland, 12/9/2024
Experiencing, Interpreting, and Explaining synchronicity: some suggestions for future research
Invited presentation, Galileo Commission Summit: Synchronicity and the Nature of Consciousness, Scientific and Medical Network and Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences, 28/10/2023
Breaking the spell of disenchantment: Mystery, meaning, and metaphysics in the work of C. G. Jung
Invited presentation, Netherlands Association for Analytical Psychology, Embassy of the Free Mind, Amsterdam, Netherlands [Online], 29/9/2023
The hermeneutics of exceptional experiences
Invited presentation, Pari Dialogue on 鈥楨dges of Consciousness鈥, Pari, Italy, 8/6/2023
A guided (magical mystery) tour of Jung鈥檚 鈥淪ynchronicity: An acausal connecting principle鈥
Invited presentation, Inaugural Conference on Jungian Psychology, West Suffolk College, 26/4/2023
Holism, synchronicity, and meaning
Invited presentation, The Jungian Mystery School, Centre for Applied Jungian Studies, South Africa, 15/4/2023
Jung's pagan unconscious
Invited presentation, Leaping Hare Pagan Federation Convention, Colchester, 25/3/2023
The cultural significance for Jung of the concept of the unus mundus
Invited presentation, The Unus Mundus, The Jungian Mystery School, Centre for Applied Jungian Studies [online], South Africa, 10/9/2022
Pauli's dreams
Invited presentation, Netherlands Association for Analytical Psychology [online], Amsterdam, Netherlands, 24/6/2022
Breaking the spell of disenchantment: the countermagic of individuation
Invited presentation, Keynote presentation, Thiasos [online], Rio de Janeiro,, Brazil, 29/4/2022
Jung, Weber, and the unio mystica
Invited presentation, Keynote presentation, Psychosocial Wednesdays, United Kingdom, 15/12/2021
The importance of myth for C. G. Jung
Invited presentation, Keynote presentation, Mythos: Myth and Metamorphosis [Online lecture series], South Africa, 9/10/2021
The undoing of disenchantment: mystery, meaning, and metaphysics in the work of C. G. Jung
Invited presentation, Keynote presentation, 2021 Zurich Lecture Series [4 lectures, 1-2 October 2021], Zurich, Switzerland, 1/10/2021
Synchronicity and mystical experience
Invited presentation, The Jungian Mystery School [Online lecture series], South Africa, 10/7/2021
鈥淭his cannot be described; it is far too wonderful鈥: Jung鈥檚 1944 near-death experience and mystical visions
Invited presentation, Accessing the Ineffable: Depth Psychology, Religious Experience, and the Further Reaches of Consciousness [Online conference], Carpinteria, United States, 19/6/2021
Mundane and mystical: a panentheistic perspective on C. G. Jung鈥檚 late thoughts about consciousness, ego, and the self
Invited presentation, 'What is Consciousness?' [Online lecture series], Pari Center for New Learning, Pari, Italy, 13/6/2021
Poetry, the I Ching, and synchronicity: Reflections on Richard Berengarten鈥檚 Changing
Invited presentation, Keynote presentation, Psychreative, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15/5/2021
Jung in a secular age
Invited presentation, Keynote presentation, São Paulo, Brazil, 26/3/2021
Numinous matter: synchronicity and the re-animation of the physical world
Invited presentation, 鈥楽ynchronicity, Mind, and Matter鈥 [Online lecture series], Pari Center for New Learning, Pari, Italy, 20/2/2021
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Popular Film, Literature and Television: A Psychosocial Approach (PA108)
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Dream, Myth, and Magic (PA241)
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Current Debates in Psychosocial Studies (PA407)
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Key Texts of C G Jung (PA971)
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Jung in Contexts: Historical, Philosophical, Cultural (PA972)
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Key Concepts in Jungian and Post-Jungian Analytical Psychology (PA973)
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Selected Applications of Analytical Psychology (PA974)
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Research Methods and Dissertation (PA981)
Current supervision
Previous supervision

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 28/4/2025

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 29/1/2025

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 12/8/2024

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 30/1/2024

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 11/4/2023

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 16/3/2023

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 9/8/2022

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 17/5/2021

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 1/4/2020

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 10/2/2020

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 15/5/2019

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 30/11/2018

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 5/6/2018

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 13/7/2017

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/7/2017

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 8/6/2016

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 6/5/2016

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 19/6/2015

Degree subject: Psychoanalytic Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/5/2015
Publications
Journal articles (15)
Main, R., (2023). Jung Among the Physicists: A Review Essay of Dual鈥怉spect Monism and the Deep Structure of Meaning. Journal of Analytical Psychology. 68 (3), 534-547
Main, R., (2019). . Revue de Psychologie Analytique. Hors s茅rie, 59-74
Main, RM., (2017). . Zygon. 52 (4), 1098-1122
Main, RM., (2017). Myth, synchronicity and re-enchantment. Jaarboek van de C. G. Jung Vereniging Nederland & Interdisciplinaire Vereniging voor Analytische Psychologie. 32, 87-107
Main, RM., (2016). Review of R. Jones (ed.), Jung and the Question of Science
Main, RM., (2015). Theorizing rogue phenomena. Mind and Matter. 13 (2), 249-256
Main, RM., (2015). Review of Jean Kirsch and Murray Stein (eds.), How and Why We Still Read Jung: Personal and Professional Reflections
Main, R., (2014). . Journal of Analytical Psychology. 59 (2), 174-180
Main, R., (2013). . Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society. 18 (3), 277-294
Main, R., (2013). . The Journal of analytical psychology. 58 (3), 366-386
Huskinson, L., Hockley, L., Main, R. and Burnett, L., (2012). . International Journal of Jungian Studies. 4 (2), 85-86
Main, R., (2011). . International Journal of Jungian Studies. 3 (2), 144-158
Main, R., (2010). . Journal of Analytical Psychology. 55 (3), 385-388
Main, R., (2008). . Religion Compass. 2 (4), 708-733
Main, R., (2008). . Religion Compass. 2 (3), 365-384
Books (5)
Main, R., (2022). Breaking The Spell Of Disenchantment Mystery, Meaning, And Metaphysics In The Work Of C. G. Jung [ZLS Edition]. Chiron Publications. 1685030815. 9781685030810
Main, R., Henderson, D. and McMillan, C., (2021). Jung, Deleuze, and the Problematic Whole. Routledge. 036742875X. 9780367428754
McMillan, C., Main, R. and Henderson, D., (2019). Holism: Possibilities and Problems. Routledge. 9780367424817
Main, R., McMillan, C. and Henderson, D., (2019). Introduction. Routledge
Burnett, L., Bahun, S. and Main, R., (2013). . Karnac books. 978 1 78220 002 4
Book chapters (18)
Main, R., (2024). A mantis over my heart: Experiencing, interpreting, and explaining synchronicity. In: The Playful Universe: Synchronicity and the Nature of Consciousness. Editors: Woollacott, M., Schwartz, G. and Lorimer, D., . The Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences. 1- 11. 978-1-7354491-7-3
Main, R., (2023). . In: Under the Sign of the I Ching. Editors: Nicolaou, P. and Smith, R., . Shearsman Books. 187- 207. 978-1-84861-849-7
Main, R., (2022). Individuation as Re-enchantment. In: Individuation Psychology: Essays in Honor of Murray Stein. Editors: Buser, S. and Cruz, L., . Chiron Publications. 45- 62. 978-1-68503-080-3
Main, R., (2021). . In: The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to the Study of Religion (second edition). Editors: Segal, RA. and Roubekas, NP., . Blackwell. 9780470656563
Main, R., McMIllan, C. and Henderson, D., (2021). Introduction. In: Jung, Deleuze, and the Problematic Whole. Editors: Main, R., McMillan, C. and Henderson, D., . Routledge. 1- 19. 9780367428754
Main, R., (2021). . In: Consciousness Unbound: Liberating Mind from the Tyranny of Materialism. Editors: Kelly, E. and Marshall, P., . Rowman & Littlefield. 139- 174. 978-1-5381-3942-4
Main, R., (2021). . In: Jung, Deleuze, and the Problematic Whole. Editors: Main, R., McMillan, C. and Henderson, D., . Routledge. 20- 50. 9780367428754
Main, R., McMillan, C. and Henderson, D., (2020). Introduction. In: Holism: Possibilities and Problems. Editors: McMillan, C., Main, R. and Henderson, D., . Routledge. 1- 14. 978-0-367-42482-4
Main, R., (2020). . In: Explaining, Interpreting, and Theorizing Religion and Myth: Contributions in Honor of Robert A. Segal. Editors: Ryba, T. and Roubekas, N., . Brill. 248- 262. 978-90-04-43501-8
Main, RM., (2019). In a secular age: Weber, Taylor, Jung. In: Contemporary Influences of C. G. Jung's Thought. Editors: Blocian, I. and Kuzmicki, A., . Brill. 169- 192
Main, R., (2018). . In: Research in Analytical Psychology: Applications from Scientific, Historical, and Cross-Cultural Research. Editors: Cambray, J. and Sawin, L., . Routledge. 135- 156. 978-1138213265
Main, R., (2015). . In: Vocabulary for the Study of Religion, Volume 1. Editors: Segal, RA. and von Stuckrad, K., . Brill. 116- 120. 9789004290433
Main, R., (2015). . In: The Occult World. Editors: Partridge, C., . Routledge. 0-415-69596-1. 978-0-415-69596-1
Main, R., (2015). . In: Vocabulary for the Study of Religion, Volume 3. Editors: Segal, RA. and von Stuckrad, K., . Brill. 161- 166. 9789004290433
Main, R., (2014). . In: Copenhagen 2013 100 Years On: Origins, Innovations and Controversies Proceedings of the 19th Congress of the International Association for Analytical Psychology. Editors: Kiehl, E., . Daimon Publishers. 158- 164. 978-3-85630-755-4
Main, R., (2014). . In: The Alchemical Mercurius: Esoteric Symbol of Jung?s Life and Works. Editors: Mather, M., . Routledge Mental Health - Taylor & Francis Group. x- xii. 978-0-415-70525-7
Main, R., (2014). . In: The Pauli-Jung Conjecture and its Impact Today. Editors: Atmanspacher, H. and Fuchs, C., . Imprint Academic. 978-1845406684
Main, R., (2013). . In: Myth, Literature, and the Unconscious. Editors: Burnett, L., Bahun, S. and Main, R., . Karnac books. 978 1 78220 002 4
Grants and funding
2016
One World': Logical and ethical implications of holism
Arts And Humanities Research Council
Contact
Academic support hours:
Mondays 2 - 3 pm Tuesdays 12 - 1 pm Otherwise by appointment; please email