Professor Vicki Harman
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Professor in Sociology
Programme Director for Sociology programmes
Module Convenor for:
- Contemporary Social Problems (PO1CSP)
- Gender, Race & Class (PO1GRC)
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.ÂBackground
Prior to joining the 91µ¼º½ in 2024, I held appointments at the University of Surrey (2017-2024) and Royal Holloway, University of London (2005-2017). I am the former Editor in Chief for , 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)