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Professor Vicki Harman

Programme Director for Sociology programmes

Official Start Date 01/10/2024

Areas of interest

I am a sociologist who is passionate about understanding social identities, cultural practices and social inequalities. I have undertaken a range of research projects centred on family life, with a particular emphasis on mothering and grandmothering. I have also explored food practices in the domestic context and within institutions including schools and prisons. My research has analysed social change and continuity in ballroom dancing with a particular focus on gender roles.  I am interested in using qualitative research methods including ethnography, interviews, focus groups and creative and visual methods such as art workshops and photo-elicitation.

Postgraduate supervision

I welcome enquiries from research students researching areas including: family life; mothering; grandparenting; ageing; food practices; ballroom dancing and inclusivity; creative and visual research. 

Background

Prior to joining the University of Reading in 2024 (official start date is 1 October), I held appointments at the University of Surrey (2017-2024) and Royal Holloway, University of London (2005-2017). I have also spent time as a visiting researcher at UNSW Sydney, Australia and Aalborg University, Denmark. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and part of the editorial team for Sociology, the journal of the British Sociological Association.

Academic qualifications

PhD in Sociology/ Social Policy. Royal Holloway, University of London (2007)
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Teaching and Learning. Royal Holloway, University of London (2007)
MPhil Criminological Research, University of Cambridge (2002)
BA (Hons) Social Policy. University of Sussex (2001)

Awards and honours

  • Doing Porridge: Understanding women’s experiences of food in prison (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council)
  • Food, families and visiting rooms in a women’s prison (funded by the British Academy)
  • Intensive Grandparenting? Exploring the Changing Nature of Grandparenting in the UK (funded by the British Academy)
  • Lunchboxes: An Analysis of Parents’ Discourses and Practices’ (funded by the British Academy)

Publications

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