Dr Jessica Martin

Profile

I joined the School of Sociology and Social Policy in September 2019, after completing my PhD at the University of Leicester. Previous to this role, I have lectured at the University of Warwick and the University of Leicester at undergraduate and postgraduate level. I am a feminist researcher, and my interests include gender, class and representations of feminism in times of escalating inequalities, postfeminism, contemporary celebrity culture and social inequalities more broadly.

I am assistant editor for The European Journal of Cultural Studies.

Responsibilities

• Programme Manager for MA Gender Studies

Research interests

I am interested in feminist cultural studies, and specifically the intersections of gender and class. I am particularly interested in the relationship between postfeminism and rising inequalities. My research provides a feminist analysis of popular culture at a time of escalating social inequality, and sits at the intersection of sociology, feminist theory, media and cultural studies. Through interrogating instances of feminism in mediated domestic spaces, my research provides an analysis of the emergence key public figures who have forged their public personas through articulations with austerity culture and in times of crisis.

I am particularly interested in how postfeminism achieves and sustains its hegemonic position within popular culture. Additionally, my research explores contemporary celebrity culture, Reality TV, mediations of motherhood and the politicisation of domestic cultures with a focus on the class, race and gender politics that arise here.

Professional memberships

• Cultural Studies Association
• FHEA

Student education

I am passionate about widening participation in higher education, and addressing gaps in attainment and retention.

Research groups and institutes

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies