Dr Taoyuan Luo

Profile

I joined the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds as a Lecturer in September 2025, having completed my PhD in Gender Studies at the same institution. I am a gender studies scholar specialising in feminist media cultures, digital activism, and youth studies. I deliver lectures, seminars, and workshops at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on the sociology of culture, media, gender, and sexuality.

Research interests

My research explores young Chinese women’s perceptions and practices of feminism in contemporary China. Situated in a context where feminism is simultaneously gaining visibility and provoking social debate, my work draws on feminist philosophies of becoming, postfeminist theories, and Chinese feminist scholarship to examine how young women understand, negotiate, and embody feminist ideas in their everyday lives. This research contributes to broader discussions on gender politics, digital culture, and the global circulation of feminist discourses.

Qualifications

• PhD in Gender Studies (University of Leeds)
• MA in Cultural and Creative Industries (King's College London)
• BA in Journalism and Communication Studies (Guangxi University, China)

Professional memberships

• BSA

Student education

I contribute to teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within the School of Sociology and Social Policy. My teaching reflects my expertise in gender studies, media and cultural sociology, and digital society.

I supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations on topics related to culture, media, gender, sexuality, migration, and race/ethnicity. I encourage students to engage critically with theory and to connect their academic work to contemporary social and cultural issues.

As a Personal Tutor for Year 2 BA Sociology students, I provide academic guidance, pastoral support, and advice on academic progression and career development. I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that values diversity and encourages independent thinking.