Dr Sharon Lockyer
Honorary Reader

Summary

Sharon Lockyer has an international research track-record in interdisciplinary research working at the intersection of the sociology of popular culture, sociology of media and communications and the sociology of humour and comedy. Her research examines how social and cultural meanings, representations, values and power dynamics related to gender, sexuality, class and disability are constructed, reconstructed and contested. She also explores methodological and conceptual applications of humour and comedy to social sciences research methodology.

She is founding director of the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) - the first, and only, international and interdisciplinary research centre devoted to the academic study of comedy. Sharon has worked on externally funded projects involving multiple stakeholders and is skilled in leading public engagement and impact activities involving diverse audiences, which utilise her extensive academic, industry, and public contacts.

In addition to Brunel, she has researched and taught at other institutions including Loughborough University and De Montfort University and has been a Visiting Professor at Dunarea de Jos University of Galati. Before becoming an academic Sharon worked in the cultural industries.

Qualifications

• PhD Social Sciences (Loughborough University)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCert) (Brunel)
• BSc Communication and Media Studies (Loughborough University), 1st Class