I am a Senior Research Fellow at Birmingham City University, UK. I conduct interdisciplinary enquiry into gender, space and power in contemporary higher education. My theoretical analyses are underpinned by the concepts of radical geographer Doreen Massey among others. I've also become very interested in creative ways of conducting and sharing research. Below is a list of current and past research projects undertaken. Click on the titles or images below to find out more about each one.
Dear Diary ... equality implications for female academics of changes to working practices in lockdown and beyond. (2021 - 2022)
This project investigates female academics’ experiences of working practices, career progression and academic identity during and post-COVID lockdown. It aims to identify ways in which remote working and other shifts in higher education (HE) practice may have impacted existing gender inequalities in the sector. The project uses a hybrid methodology, including diary research, interview and graphic social science. Funded by an SRHE Research Award 2020.
Space to Write: the role of online writing communities for female academics
This project gathers and analyses data from participants of THIRDSPACE: a temporary online academic writing community for female academics hosted by the Society for Research in Higher Education (SRHE). The research will investigate participants' motivations and experiences and will propose a model for successful online academic writing groups, programmes and communities.
Living and Working in Lockdown. What's gender got to do with it? (2020)
This institutional research used on an online survey to investigate experiences of living and working at home during the COVID-19 lockdown (March-June 2020) and the role of gender in shaping those experiences. It identified key issues and implications for gender equality for both staff and institution.
Gender(s) at Work (2016-2018)
Gender(s) at Work investigated the ways in which gender shapes everyday experiences of the university workplace and career trajectory over time. How does gender operate as a ‘geography of power’ within HE? How do participants’ diverse and complex lived experiences trouble the prevailing career narrative of a linear, upward trajectory? read more about this project
The g word tour (2018-2019)
A revisualisation of Gender(s) at Work research findings into a multi-modal dissemination programme comprising Powerpoint presentations, workshops, a visual exhibit and a poetry performance. These were presented, exhibited and performed, singly and in combination between November 2018 and July 2019 across 25 universities and research centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The impact of gender equity interventions on the work experiences of academics in UK universities with Athena SWAN awards (2018 - 2020).
This project was designed to identify, via an online survey, the specific gender equity strategies or interventions, implemented in schools, units and/or organisations which have received Athena SWAN awards, which academics perceive to have the most positive impact on their work experience and/or career histories or trajectories. I am a Co-Investigator with Professor Maria Tsouroufli (Brunel University, UK). The Principal Investigator is Dr Gail Crimmins (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia). (link forthcoming).