Research in the Sociology Programme
All staff in the Sociology Programme are active researchers pursuing interests in a range of areas including gender, ethnicity, popular culture and communication, social change and global studies. The Programme runs a monthly work-in-progress seminar series and all staff are actively involved in presenting conference papers, publishing and pursuing a range of other research activities. The current research activities of staff include:
Professor Thomas Acton
My main specialisation is Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, which is currently involving me in work on religion and faith communities, visual aesthetics, and informal social control systems and the state. My next book will be an edited autobiography of Alex Smith, a notable Gypsy Showman, and a collection on Romani historical revisionism. See the website for my other books and papers.
Dr Sally Mann
I am currently working on the publication potential of my PhD on post-structuralist and theological notions of the self. Planned future research will consider how such contemporary ideas of the self inform socio-political action.
Dr Craig Morris
I am currently involved in research relating to how language is used by individuals, in relation to socially contested issues, specifically in relation to the medicinal use of cannabis by chronically ill and disabled people. I am also very interested in issues relating to drugs and media.
Ms Louise Owusu-Kwarteng
I am currently writing my Doctoral Thesis on the educational experiences of second generation British-Ghanaians. More specifically, this looks at the role of the family in their academic/professional achievement, and the outcomes as a result of this. I am also writing a literature review for the �Black and Minority Attainment Project�, which focuses upon the African experience in Higher Education.
Dr Linnell Secomb
Following the publication of my book Philosophy and Love: From Plato to Popular Culture I am now undertaking research into the experience and expression of emotions taking into account how these are effected by cultural and social context. I am also involved in research on �Black and Ethnic Minority Attainment at University� investigating why different groups appear to have differing attainment outcomes.
Dr Douglas Stuart
My research interests include:
· The Sociology of Consumption, especially in relation to human sexuality, food and religion.
· Romanticism and the rise of consumer identities.
· Globalisation, networked societies and the critique of development.
· Colonialism and post colonialism especially with reference to the societies of Southern Africa.
· History of early nineteenth century southern Africa.
· The missionary encounter and ethnographic records.