University of Kent

Biography

My first academic position was at University of Warwick Law School (from 1991-1998). I also completed my PhD there (in 1992), begun at the LSE. I then moved to Keele University (from 1998-2004), and for 3 1/2 years was Research Dean for the Social Science Faculty, prior to coming to University of Kent to establish the AHRC Research Centre for Law, Gender & Sexuality in 2004.

Research

My research interests include

• Social and Political Theory
• Cultural Geography
• Feminism, Sexuality
• Governance and Radical Politics
• Utopian Studies

Major Research Projects

I am currently engaged in a theoretical and empirical project exploring "everyday utopias" - spaces and sites of exchange, schooling, sex, religion, politics and speech which seek to enact alternative, and sometimes prefigurative ways of living. My interest is in exploring the epistemological promise of these spaces, as well as their agency, power, and diverse connections and imbrications to "mainstream" life. This project grew out of a fellowship grant funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

Successful research grants held in the past include:

• 2004-9: AHRC Research Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality, £1.1 million (incl. HEI contribution)
• 2001-3: ESRC Research Grant (principal researcher), £80k Lesbian and Gay Policy-making within Local Government, 1990-2001
• 2001-3: Leverhulme Fellowship, £15k (sole researcher) Governing Prefigurative Communities
• 1995-97: ESRC Research Grant, £26K (sole researcher) Community, Democracy, and the Governance of Difference
• 1993-94: ESRC Research Grant (principal researcher), £24K The Power of Law in Municipal Politics

Publications

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Teaching & Supervision

Teaching

No teaching as I currently direct the AHRC Centre for Law, Gender & Sexuality

Supervision

In any of the areas identified in my research interests.

Currently Supervising:

E Grabham: PhD "Social incisions: theorising belonging through the body"

T Johnson: PhD "Sexuality and asylum: narrativising discourses of resistance through the imaginary domain"

S Keenan: MPhil "The study of women who claim refugee status on the basis of their sexuality"

S Lamble: MPhil "Transforming bodies of knowledge: transgender activism, antidiscrimination law and social movement politics in Canada"

Other Academic Activities

Editorial Work

I am on various editorial/ international advisory boards, including: Feminist Legal Studies, Gender, Work and Organization, Feminist Theory, International Journal of Law in Context

Professional Societies

I am a member of the SLSA, SLS and have just finished a 3 year term as Trustee of the Law & Society Association.

External Appointments

ESRC Grants Board, 2001-2005; Specialist Advisory to Education and Employment Parliamentary Select Committee, 2000-2002; Magistrate 2000-2005; Local Government Councillor, 1986-1990

Administration

I am Director of the AHRC Centre for Law, Gender & Sexuality.