About us
The Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) is an international interdisciplinary research Centre dedicated to the serious study of comedy.
We examine comedy as a unique art form and a powerful global cultural form that shapes how societies understand identity, power, politics, community, taboos and everyday life. Our research examines the production, content, reception and broader socio-political implications of comedy across a range of formats, from stand-up comedy to comedy thrillers.
At its core, the Centre acts as a hub, connecting researchers, practitioners, cultural organisations, students and funders in a shared exploration of comedy as a dynamic social force.
What is the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR)?
Why Comedy Research Matters
Comedy plays a central role in public culture. It can challenge authority, reinforce norms, build community, provoke controversy and create new ways of seeing the world. It operates within industries, institutions and creative economies, influencing how we talk and think about politics, identity - including gender, race, class, disability and intersectionality - and belonging.
Our research and teaching is strongly underpinned by the belief that comedy is socially, culturally, politically and economically significant at local, national and international levels.
Our Research
As an interdisciplinary team, we bring together expertise from media and communications, sociology, psychology, theatre and performance, film and television, politics, computing, English, creative writing and social sciences.
This approach means our research covers a broad range of important topics, as outlined in our research themes:
We value research that connects academic insight with industry practice and public engagement and impact.
Industry and Cultural Engagement
We maintain strong links with the comedy industry and the cultural sector. Our work engages with practitioners, broadcasters, festivals, archives and creative organisations, ensuring that research is informed by, and contributes to, real-world comedy practice.
The Centre is supported by CCSR Ambassadors:
Ambassadors
Our aims
The centre aims to:
- Promote and facilitate academic research on the comedy/society interface
- Through a broad research agenda, facilitate inter-disciplinary research that examines the ways in which comedy can be used un/seriously and positively and/or negatively in all spheres of society (in business, party politics, IT, health, education, identity politics, media, arts, law)
- Contribute to debates relevant to industry and practitioners
- Provide a hub for mentoring and developing research skills for research students
- Provide graduate and undergraduate teaching that links to our main research interests