Kaoru Aoyama, PhD 2001-2005
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Uncategorized on July 28, 2014
I have been working at the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, Kobe University, Japan, since October 2010. This is my first permanent academic job after temporary positions at Tohoku and Kyoto Universities. Now, I have been promoted to professor this April, feeling very old… So, yes, in this climate, I should be really happy about my work situation. But, as you all know very well, it’s hectic and getting worse.
As an Essex sociologist, I sometimes look at STATISTICS and compare them with my own personal experiences: among many notorious figures in Japan (and I have no intention of mentioning any sexist/ultra-right-wing remarks by st*p*d politicians at all here) are the long working hours. There is a warning that beyond 60 hours a week, the rate of karo-shi, or death by work-related exhaustion/stress, increases considerably (surprise, surprise!); and among my colleagues we say, ‘60 hours? We should have died 1.5 times by now’. Yes, I am exaggerating; academics do not work so much during summer and so we don’t exceed the karo-shi line on average, except that summer ‘holidays’ are the only time we can work as researchers.
At the moment, I am very much looking forward to the end of my service as chairperson of the International Exchange Committee this autumn – anyone fancy a teaching, research or student exchange with a Japanese university?
Despite feeling overworked, I’m not giving up this job quite yet, though, because I have a mortgage for the first time in my life, too, and I still think this is the best paid job in which I can follow my research interest. I am still working on global sex work issues, very much built on my Ph.D. project. The difference now is that I do not focus only on migrant workers but also Japanese workers and increasingly leaning towards participatory action research. After coming back from Essex, I keep finding myself in situations which people in academia need to engage in in order to make certain issues, otherwise swept away as personal troubles, social. But it’s nice, seriously, to find a good use for what I enjoyed so much in the process of learning:
– Ken’s artistic lectures and creative talks, Rob’s crafted lectures and pinpoint supervisions, Paul’s interview methodology, Lucinda’s book launch, Colin’s ‘way of life that does not exist’, Pam’s hands-on ‘how to finish in three years’ class, Yasmin and Maggie O’Neil’s tough viva, departmental seminars, brown bag seminars, our little individually organised seminars and chats in the student offices, teas here and there, expensive but fine campus accommodation, the lake in rain, the smell in the library, Ph.D. conferences at Aldeburgh, mulled wine in the common room, the TESCO junction towards Wivenhoe village, the foot path, estuary, the house on Chaney Road, pints at the Rose and Crown and the list, with deep-felt thanks, never ends.
Besides, I do find the Essex brand of sociology is an excellent tool to keep reminding us that people ‘out there’ are much more knowledgeable than anyone in academia, never mind in national politics, about the issues they should have been at the centre of. It has also equipped us with theories and methodologies that distinguish sociologists from others’ ways of being useful; the awareness is with us that we need to question the theory/practice divide particularly in handling the West/East divide. The pain is that at the moment this type of sociology looks like it is losing funding and so on around the world. Let’s wait and see if our connection to the real will pay off in the end.
To be fair, life in Kobe is not bad overall. It’s a nice city with a working port, beach, mountain, hotspas, lively centre and history of modernising Asia. We will have trouble visiting all the good-looking eating-out places in a lifetime – anyone fancy Japanese dinner around here? I’m from Tokyo originally but I don’t want to go back to live there anymore. Being away from Tokyo overcrowding it’s also good that you don’t have to queue too long to see films and exhibitions (when you have time to visit them at all).
Here, I live with my partner who I met at Essex as my housemates-cum-course-mates’ friend. After struggling with a too-long-distance relationship, we decided to get a civil partnership and live together in Japan. The partnership is not recognised here but we are openly and civilisedly demanding university, municipal, sometimes state offices to give us equal welfare and legal treatment. Of course we fail every time because this is a sovereign state ruled by its own law. But never mind, this can be another participatory action research on migration, gender, sexuality, intimacy, citizenship and nationality combined anyway. Moreover, we are expecting a baby in a week’s time! Ask me about the adventure of bringing up a child in a queer family in Japan next time.
Annabel Faraday, BA 1975, PhD 1986.
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Alumni on July 28, 2014
1974
2014
After getting my Sociology BA, I worked as Ken Plummer’s research officer on his “Sexual Variation” project 1976-79. I took the full six years to finish my Ph.D – “Social Definitions of Lesbians in Britain 1914-1939”. After completion in 1986 I went on to teach Lesbian History at Birkbeck for two years. In 1989 I began a two year ceramics course at the City Lit, whilst working part-time at a designer at City and Islington College. I gave up the day job in 2004 and have been self-employed as a ceramicist since then. I have a studio in Bethnal Green and exhibit in galleries in the UK and internationally.
Interests: ceramics, print-making, drawing, collage, film, sea swimming, wilderness.
Tony Woodiwiss (1974-1999, Professor and Head of Department)
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Former staff, Uncategorized on July 6, 2014
Happy days: memories of Essex Sociology
Tony with Alison Scott at an Examiner’s Dinner around 1979
I have loved reading all the stories gathered in so far and share the affection and gratitude they exhibit. But there is one aspect of the experience that has not yet received the attention it deserves – how many ordinary happinesses there were and I am sure there still are. So here are a few of the many things that that still make me laugh or smile whenever I remember them.
Walking down to campus from Wivenhoe House.
The departmental reading room, especially when the morning rolls and coffee had just arrived.
Having to cross a picket line when I came for my interview.
Mary Girling’s huge dogs lying around the office when they were sick.
Walking past Mike Lane’s office after lunch.
Peter Townsend really meaning it when telling me that he was very pleased that the University had given me tenure despite the objections of the Department’s senior staff(himself included).
Staying overnight in George Kolankiewicz’s house in Queens Road with my first real duvet, my last outside toilet and my only Francis Bacon soon to live next door.
Stan Cohen’s greeting smile.
Dancing the ‘funky gibbon’ with Mary Mac at one of Ted and Shelley’s parties.
Numberless parties at Ken and Ev’s: great music, brilliant food and far too much drink.
Having to learn how to teach again after smoking was banned in all classrooms.
Seeing the first punk tour with Wreckless Eric, the Stranglers et al in the university ballroom.
Derrick Schwartz telling me that Harold Wolpe’s nickname amongst the graduate students was ‘killer’ because he always responded to their answers to his questions by asking them to explain why they had so answered.
Dropping in on George Kolankiewicz, Sean Nixon or Ted Benton for a chat.
The Rose and Crown.
Ted’s face when I told him at a party in the upstairs bar that my idea of communism was lying on a beach, listening to music and drinking beer.
Driving up to Colchester from London with Harold and Ernesto Laclau. They argued about Marxism all the way – never again, absolutely terrifying.
Many lifts from Harold on his own to and from London – also very fast but not quite so terrifying. I ultimately realized that he was trying to teach me how to theorize with his relentless ‘whys?’.
Being in a car going back to London wIth Jean Baudrillard – haunting.
Lifts to London with Sean, RIchard Wilson and Carlo Ruzza: life-enhancing and serene progresses.
Watching George on TV every night during the rise of Solidarity.
Harold’s poker evenings in Wivenhoe. I never played but Mike Lane, MIck Mann and colleagues from Literature did. No one ever admitted to losing anything…
The Fuller Bequest: it paid for two long trips to and around the US during the 1970s – Greyhound is probably the best way for a sociologist to travel around America, but does anyone have the time anymore?
An outdoor hot spring bath with Professor Fuwa and his colleagues on a Japanese mountainside when the first snowflakes of the winter started to fall.
Staying overnight at Dennis Marsden and Jean Duncombe’s, especially our breakfast chats.
Realizing that when Mary GIrling gave me a nickname it meant I was generally accepted as being a fit and proper person to be a member of the Department.
Spending time with Howard Newby in Madison when we were both exiles in America.
Maxine Molyneux when she suddenly swerved off the road and roared around a field when taking me and others back from the pub to my house in Wormingford – such is the power of Abbot Ale.
A gorgeous lunch at Mick Mann and NIcky Hart’s equally gorgeous house in Dedham.
The ‘Sociology of the USA’ class that lasted four and half hours.
David Lockwood’s amusement on suddenly realizing that we both had rather small feet.
Eating horse sashimi (and mushrooms) with HIromi Shimodaira in Matsumoto.
A lovely party at Ian Craib’s beautiful windmill in Sudbury.
Cruising (not really) in Santa Barbara and Hollywood with Harvey Molotch and Glen.
The External Examiner’s dinners.
Going with Pete Utting and Amalia Chamorro to the celebrations in Managua that marked the second anniversary of the Nicaraguan revolution – ‘presente’.
Getting extremely drunk (on Sociology as well as wine) at Bryan Turner’s house one night – I think that must have been when we became frIends.
Teaching the joint seminar in Government and Sociology with Bob Jessop. Having just ridden all the way from Cambridge on his pushbike, Bob would come in and speak perfect Jessopese for the first hour without a note.
DInner in Hong Kong with Ken and Ev, Travis Kong, Raymond Chan but unfortunately not Jimmy Wong.
Getting to know John Gagnon (a little). The most sophisticated person I have ever met – ‘awesome’ as he would never say in a million years.
An outdoor hot bath with Professor Fuwa and his colleages on a Japanese mountainside when the first snowflakes of the winter started to fall.
Great chats with Lydia Morris at the French House in Soho.
Bryan suggesting to me at the Dictionary Launch in the LTB foyer that I extend my work on labour rights to human rights more generally. I replied that unfortunately I knew nothing about human rights. ‘Exactly’ said Bryan, ‘nobody in sociology does’.
Suggesting to Richard Wilson that he extend his work on truth commissions to human rights more generally. Richard replied that unfortunately he knew nothing about human rIghts. ‘Exactly’ I said.
A summer holiday in Montecastrilli with Mike and Joan – delicious and topped off with dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Joinville on the way back.
Visiting (many times) Katsu Harada’s beautiful, neo-traditional house in Kamakura and listening to jazz.
Harold’s inevitable response to any request for advice on a difficult personal matter, ‘Tony, do as you think best.’ Still good advice.
Thanks everyone.
Tony
27 more names for the Roll Call
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Alumni, Around the world on June 26, 2014
Sian MOORE (2010) is Professor of Work and Employment Relations at the University of West England
Bethany MORGAN (1999-2011 BA, MA, PhD ) worked in the data Archive at Essex, taught in the sociology department and is now Senior Lecturer in sociology at the University of East London.
Rhiannon MORGAN (PhD, 2004) is Senior Lecturer in Political Sociology, Oxford Brookes University, UK
Professor Ronaldo MUNCK (-1977 Ph D) (Argentinian by birth) held the first post-apartheid Chair in Sociology at the University of Durban in South Africa after a number of years at the University of Ulster. He was Professor of Political Sociology and Director of the Globalisation and Social Exclusion Unit (1996-2004) and then Professor at Dublin City University since 2004.
Karim MURJI (1980-83) is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the Open University
Danzan NARANTUYA is in the Department of Sociology, National University of Mongolia, Mongolia
Daniel NEHRING (2002-8, BA, MA, PHD) is Lecturer in Sociology, Pusan National University, South Korea.
Howard NEWBY(BA, PhD 1969-1968) is Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool.
Tom OBINYAN was last sighted at at the University of Lagos
Karen O’REILLY (1989-1999 BA. PhD. ISER) is Professor of Sociology at Loughborough University
Nigel PARTON (1977,MA) became Professor in Child Care and the Foundation NSPCC Chair of Applied Childhood Studies at Huddersfield University
Constantinos PHELLAS (1994-8, PhD) went to South Bank University and is now Rector for Research at the University of Nicosia. Cyprus
Steve PLATT(1967-70, BA) is Professor of Health Policy at the University of Edinburgh
Lucinda PLATT (taught 2000-7) moved to ISER in 2007 and later became Professor of Sociology at the Institute of Education and Director of the Millennium Cohort Study….
John PODGORSKI (2000-2003, BA) gained a MSc in Passenger Transport Management via a joint CILT/Aston University (distance learning) programme in 2011 and currently employed as a training Manager cum bus driver at Hedingham Omnibuses – part of Go Ahead Group PLC. also a self-employed tutor in Business (to degree level), Sociology (to A level) and English (GCSE) He is also a committee member of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) for the Eastern Region and Chair of South Essex sub-group
Jennie POPAY (1996-7, MA) is Professor of Sociology and Public Health at the University of Lancaster, and Director of the newly established Collaborating Centre for Community Engagement in England. She spent five years teaching in East Africa and then studied in New Zealand before beginning her research career at the Unit for the Study of Health Policy at Guy’s Hospital in London at the end of the 1970s.
Garry POTTER (1985-200, Ph D, Tutor) became Associate Professor of Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada Nicole POWER is Associate Professor of Sociology at Memorial University, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
Anthony PRYCE (1998, PhD) is Emeritus Professor in the School of Community & Health Sciences City University
Maurice PUNCH (1965-1966, MA, Ph.D 1971, 1971-4 Lecturer) and has worked in universities in the UK, USA and The Netherlands – where he has lived since 1975. After 20 years in Dutch universities he became an independent researcher / consultant in 1994 and in 1999 was appointed Visiting Professor at the Mannheim Centre at LSE: he is also Visiting Professor at King’s College London in the Dickson Poon School of Law.
Wapula Nelly RADITLOANENG (1989, MA) is an Associate Professor at the University of Botswana Nirmal PUWAR (1994-7, Research) is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmith’s College, London
Dave REASON graduated with a degree in Sociology (having intended to specialise in Theoretical Physics), and moved to the University of Kent where he is Master of Keynes College and Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies in the History & Philosophy of Art.
Penny RICKMAN (80’s) became a Probation Officer.
Andrew RIGBY (????) is Professor at the Center for Peace and Reconciliation Studies at the University of Coventry.
Michael RILEY enjoys a “rewarding career as a Professional Chef with extensive management experience in the restaurant, catering, hotel, resort and film catering industries, including his own business ventures.” “My ongoing passion for cooking and the hospitality industry continues, as I explore new opportunities to advance my commitment to culinary excellence”. Last was Executive Chef at Painted Boat Resort, Canada.
Chrissie ROGERS (1995-2004, BA, MA, PhD) went on to lecture at Keele and Brunel before moving to Anglia Ruskin as a director of PhD research and the Childhood and Youth Research Institute. In 2012, she joined Aston Sociology as a Senior Lecturer in Sociology.
Heather ROLFE (1985-7, Research Officer) is Principal Research Fellow National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)
Mike ROPER (MA, PhD) is now a Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex
David ROWE (1978-81, PhD 1986)was for many years at The University of Newcastle in New South Wales. In 2006 he moved to the University of Western Sydney (UWS), where he is currently a Professor of Cultural Research in the Institute for Culture and Society.
David Lockwood (1929-2014): In Memoriam
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Books, Former staff, History, Obituaries on June 11, 2014
We are sad to learn that David Lockwood, who was Professor of Sociology at Essex University from 1968 to 1995, died on Friday June 6th, 2014.
David was one of the big names of his generation of scholars – and a major world influence within Sociology. His first major work was The Black Coated Worker; and he was probably most known for ‘The Affluent Worker’ which was published in 1968, the year he moved to the University of Essex from the University of Cambridge. He retired in 2001 and became Emeritus Professor.
He will be sadly missed. Our condolences go to his beloved wife, Leonore Davidoff, the eminent feminist gender historian; and his sons Matthew, Harold and Ben.
There have been many obituaries and remembrances of David and this web site will try to keep abreast of them. You may like to look at what is already on the site about David’s life by clicking here: David Lockwood: honorary degree. David Lockwood by David Rose : Retirement Conference.
You can also read the transcript of an interview with him at Interview
See also our obituaries page
Jenny Popay, MA in Social Service Planning 1976-77
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Uncategorized on May 12, 2014
I am currently professor of Sociology and Public Health at Lancaster University. I have had similar academic appointments at University of Leeds and Salford and before that was research fellow and senior research fellow at the Institute of Education Thomas Coram Research Unit, the Independent Study Commission on the Family funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Unit for the study of Health Policy University of London. I am also chair of a major grant giving national charity the People’s health Trust which provides grants to support community groups to improve their neighbourhoods.
My research interests include: Social Determinants of Health Inequalities, community empowerment, sociology of knowledge and evaluation of policies/actions aimed at improving socio-economic conditions in low income neighbourhoods.
The ROLL CALL continued
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Uncategorized on April 29, 2014
More names to join the ever growing list: why not add yours?
Ajay KHANDELWAL (MA, PhD,1995) has worked in a number of health and social care roles over the last twenty years across voluntary and statutory sectors. Ajay joined NESTA in 2011.
Motohiro KAWASIMA (MA PhD 2004) Assistant Professor Education and Research Support Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University 4-2 Aramaki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8510, Japan
Richard KILMINSTER ( PhD ) lectured at Leeds University and became a specialist on the work of Norbert Elias
Dave KING (1977-1986 PhD) became a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool University
Travis KONG (1993-2000 MA, PhD) is Assistant Professor at Hong Kong University and currently editor of the journal Sexualities.
Pauline LANE (1986-89,BA; 91-95 PHD) is Reader in Mental Health at Anglia Ruskin University & South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, but about to leave.
Di LEONARD was one of the first to teach a feminist agenda in the department in the early 1970’s. After several years at Essex University, she moved to the Institute of Education where she became a professor in the 1990s. She died in 2011.
Chin Ju-LIN ( 2003, PhD ) is currently Associate Professor in the Graduate Institute of Gender Studies in Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
Ruth LISTER (1964-7) became a poverty campaigner, a social policy Professor at Loughborough University and a Dame in the House of Lords ……
Jose LOPEZ (1994-2000, MA PhD, Fellow) became associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, Canada
Terry LOVELL is now Emeritus Professor Sociology at the University of Warwick, where she taught courses in women’s studies and cultural studies
Trevor LUMIS ( 1981, PhD ) wrote many books based on “oral evidence’; he died in September 2013 ( see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/10365001/Trevor-Lummis.html
Dawn LYON (2004-7 Senior Research Officer) is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Kent
Dan MAHONEY (1998-2004) is an Associate Professor with the School of Nutrition at Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and is also a family sociologist with an interest in the social, cultural and health-related aspects of interpersonal relationships. Dan teaches and conducts research in the areas of health, research methods, sexuality, and family studies. His methodological interests in family-based research include interpretive ethnography, self-reflexive storytelling, and thematic and narrative analysis.
Jane MARCEAU (lecturer 1967-70) Professor Jane Marceau was formerly Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), University of Western Sydney
John MARSHALL (1976-82) became editor of Gay Times for ten years. After this, he left academic and gay politics to become a librarian.
Gordon MARSHALL (1978- 1990) became Chief Executive of the ESRC, Vice Chancellor of Reading University(2003-11), Director of the Leverhulme Foundation and awarded FBA and CBE.
Susan MASON (1978-2001, MA, Ph ) is now retired and lives in Ipswich.
Hannah MASON-BISH ( 2009, PhD ) is Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at the University of Sussex
Ken MENZIES (1973, PhD) Professor of Sociology, University of Guelph, Canada.
Gareth MILLINGTON (2006, PhD ) is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Roehampton, London
Gad MIMRAN (2005-8, BA) runs an international volunteer placement organisation called Plan My Gap Year.
Siyndu MOHANATHAS (2009-12) a business support officer with NSPCC ChildLine
Go to the cumulative listing at: ROLL CALL
Susan Mason (1978-2001:MA, Ph.D)
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Alumni on April 25, 2014
In 1978 I enrolled on a higher degree course. ‘Welcome’, said Brenda, showing this new part-time M.A. student to her desk and shelf space in an office. So I went to lectures from Howard, ate sandwiches in the Reading Room with Harold, and drank coffee down town with Dennis. I discussed Symbolic Interactionist work, and, looking for a new view of things I walked across corridors overlooking Square Three. Meanwhile I refilled the coffee percolatator, deferred payment and, sitting in lumpy and unbelievably shabby sofas, exchanged secrets with my friends. Sadly, I found I couldn’t continue, although the fees were £50 a term.
Fast forward to 2001. ‘You’re a graduate ‘, he said at Registration, ‘You know about computers’. ‘Welcome’ said Brenda, showing me to an office. ‘Which desk is mine?’, I asked a fellow student. ‘None’, she said, ‘We share’. I talked about Post-Modernism and listened to lectures from a young man called Rob. At the end of term an irate librarian asked the reason I hadn’t responded to her email. Email… I had received about 900 and did not know I even had a student address. Nobody else had noticed and I’d missed nothing. One day the Reading Room reappeared, resembling a dental reception room. No more intimate conversations snuggled in velvet cushions. Prepaid coffee from a machine which I never had to re-fill. As for sandwiches, I had to bring my own. Brenda retired, and this time I did graduate. So did thousands of other students, all on time.
Andreas Pöllmann (2004,MA;2008,PhD)
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Alumni, Around the world on April 14, 2014
I owe it to the central library of Montpellier’s Université Paul Valéry and some unknown marketing people at Essex that one late afternoon, during a coffee break, I found this prospectus about postgraduate studies at the University of Essex. In hindsight, I’m ashamed of my ignorance, but this really was the first time I’ve heard of this institution of Higher Education on the island close to Europe. Anyway, I recall that, when getting to the pages about the Department of Sociology and the Department of Government, I was struck by an almost instant sensation that the overall study experience – and particularly staff student relations – would be so much more inspiring and engaging there than in any of the places I had studied before. I didn’t change my mind even if (or perhaps because) I used to pass by the statue of Auguste Comte when walking home from the Université to the 16th century inner city flat that I was living in back then. Even the fact that in the Montpellier of that time (autumn 2000 to summer 2001), ordinary public cinemas used to screen productions like “La sociologie est un sport de combat” – a documentary dedicated to Pierre Bourdieu – could not convince me of staying on the continent.
As much as I never got to develop a strong affection for Britain’s oldest recorded town (apart from some notable, geographically quickly locatable, exceptions), I did instantly fall in love with the University and the nearby village of Wivenhoe. I often miss the open, diverse, and friendly atmosphere at the university’s main campus and, above all, the wonderful people I had the good fortune to meet during my time there. It is no exaggeration to say that I spent some of the happiest years of my life at the University of Essex. In particular, I owe a lot to teachers and fellow students from the Sociology Department and am deeply grateful for their companionship and (in many cases) lasting friendship. One of these friendships led to a marriage, two children, and me/us living in Mexico City.
Whatever one may think about causalities … and common indicators of graduate student satisfaction (let alone the obsessive measuring of it) … one can hardly deny this University’s charm. I am now working at another great university – the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) – with particular research interests in the field of intercultural teacher education and the notion of intercultural capital.
The following link leads to some further and regularly updated information on my research and publications: http://unam.academia.edu/AndreasPöllmann
23 more names for the Essex Sociology Roll Call
Posted by stories of essex sociology in Roll Call, Uncategorized on March 23, 2014
Fiona DEVINE (1980-1990) did a joint degree in Sociology and Government between 1980-83; then an MA in Sociology on a part time basis between 1983-85, and a PhD in 1985 and was awarded it in 1990.Became Professor of Sociology at Manchester, a world leader in the study of social class, and an OBE and member of the Academy of Social Sciences.
Jean DUNCOMBE ( ?- 1999, MA, PhD) married Dennis Marsden and became a Principal Lecturer at Chichester University. She is now retired.
Tim EDWARDS ( Ph.D 1991 ) is a Senior Lecture in Sociology at Leicester University
Dave ELDER-VASS (2006 -10, Postdoc) After a career as an IT specialist and executive, he studied for his PhD at Birkbeck, University of London, and spent three years as a British Academy post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Sociology at the University of Essex. He is now a Senior Lecture in Sociology at Lougborough.
Annabel FARADAY (1973-198?). After becoming a ‘pioneer of lesbian history’, she left academia to become a ceramicist.
David FORD (PhD, 2000) was a Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Programme Leader at University College, Chester. Included in David’s publications is ‘Realism and Research, Philosophy and Poverty Politics: the Example of Smoking,’ in Lopez, J and Potter, G. After Postmodernism: Critical Realism, Athlone Press, 2002. He sadly died in 2011.
Tabitha FREEMAN (1996-2004, PhD ) has been a Research Associate at the Centre for Family Research since 2004 at Cambridge University. Her research addresses parent-child relationships and child development in different family forms, including those created by assisted conception.
Kimberley Drae FISHER (1994-2002, PhD Research Fellow) worked for ISER and is now Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford where she works in the Centre for Time Use Research
Pauline FULLER (BA, PhD, 1995..) is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Well Being at the University of Wolverhampton
Eileen GREEN (1974-5, MA) joined Teesside University as Professor of Sociology in 1996. She was a founder Director of the Centre for Social and Policy Research and co-director of the Unit for Social and Policy Research USPR. Before this she was Reader in Sociology at Sheffield Hallam University, where she was Director of the Centre for Women’s Studies between 1988 and 1992 and Head of Sociology from 1994-6. She retired in 2011 but remains a Professor Emeritus at Teesside University.
Aisha GILL (1993-2002, BA, MA PhD) is a senior lecturer in Criminology at Roehampton University. In 2011 she was named Professional Woman of the Year at the Asian Awards ‘and also Alumna of the Year at Essex, 2012.
Diana GITTENS (Ph.D1979 ) is a writer and poet, with various publications in both prose and poetry. She has been an Associate Lecturer in Creative Writing for the Open University, but is now writing full-time. She has published four works of nonfiction, a collection of poetry, short prose and a number of reviews and essays in various magazines and journals. Her poetry pamphlet, BORK!, came out in May 2013, published by HappenStance Press. Born in the USA, she came to the UK when she 14, where she attended Dartington Hall School and the University of Essex. I also studied at the University of Paris and Bath Spa University. She now lives in Exeter with her partner, two cats and three hens.
Paul GODIN ( 2002 PhD ) is a Senior Lecturer at City University. His research area highlights mental health care and examines the links between the penal and asylum systems.
Dennis GORMAN ( -1988 PhD ) is Professor and Head of Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Texas A & M University.
Michael HAJIMICHAEL (1979-82, BA) is Assistant Professor in Communications at The University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is also a performance poet, radio broadcaster and DJ, known as Haji Mike.
Catherine HAKIM ( 1974 PhD) became Director of the ESRC Data Archive for one year ( 1989-1990) and in 2013 was a Senior Research Officer at the Centre for Policy Studies. She is the controversial author of Honey Money: The Power of Erotic Capital (2011).
Peter HALFPENNY ( PhD 1976) former Associate Director of MeRC and Professor of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences until September 2010. He was Head of the Department of Sociology from 1993 to 1996, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law in 2003-04, and first Head of the School of Social Sciences for two years after the new University of Manchester was formed by the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST in 2004. He was Executive Director of the National Centre for e-Social Science from its establishment in 2004 until 2009
Mike HARDEY ( 80’s) taught at Surrey, York and died unexpectedly in 2012 (see his daughter’s web site and account on: http://www.mariannhardey.com/mike-hardey)
Gina HARKELL (Social History 1980’s) has become a celebrated jazz singer
Barbara HUDSON ( 1977-198?) became Professor of Criminology at University of South Lancashire. Died September 2013….
Edith R. JIMENEZ HUERTA ( PhD1988 ) Research professor, Department of Regional-INESER Studies, University Center for Economic and Administrative Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Mexico
Meltem KARADAG (2004, PhD ) is Associate Professor of Sociology at Gaziantep University, Turkey
'A landmark book' about the department
STORIESofESSEXSOCIOLOGY 