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Professor Vicki Harman

Professor Vicki Harman portrait
Programme Director for Sociology programmes

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, I held appointments at the University of Surrey (2017-2024) and Royal Holloway, University of London (2005-2017). I am Editor in Chief for Sociology, the flagship journal of the British Sociological Association. I am a visiting Professor at the Department of Sociology, University of Surrey (October 2024 to September 2027). 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 an external examiner for BSc Sociology, BSc Sociology and Social Policy courses at the University of Bath.

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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