Emma Rees

Professor Emma Rees serves as Professor of Literature and Gender Studies at the University of Chester's Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, where she directs the Institute of Gender Studies and leads the MRes Gender Studies program. With over fifteen years of academic service at the university (promoted to Professor in August 2015 after serving as Senior Lecturer from 2005-2015), she brings extensive leadership experience including six years as Deputy Head of Department. Her academic profile reflects a deep commitment to inclusive, intersectional feminist scholarship across disciplinary boundaries.

Professor Rees's research spans multiple interconnected fields with primary expertise in:

• Gender studies and feminist theory
• Literature and gender analysis
• Gender and visual art interpretation
• Film and cultural studies
• Early modern literature
• Interdisciplinary approaches to embodiment
• Equality and diversity initiatives in Higher Education

Her scholarly trajectory reveals a consistent evolution from early modern literary studies toward broader cultural analyses of gender and embodiment. A significant portion of her work engages with feminist perspectives on the body, exploring how literature, art, and culture construct and challenge gendered bodily experiences. Her publications demonstrate increasing incorporation of intersectional approaches that consider how gender intersects with other identity markers and social structures, particularly evident in her recent book "Margaret Cavendish" (2024) and "The Routledge Companion to Gender, Sexuality, and Culture" (2022).

As an educator and supervisor, Professor Rees has developed innovative approaches to student transition into higher education, evidenced by her research on pre-induction social networking. Her teaching portfolio includes Gender studies, Feminist theory, Literature and gender, Gender and visual art, Film and cultural studies, and Early modern literature, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to gender scholarship.

Professor Rees directs the University of Chester's Institute of Gender Studies, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary gender research across the university. The institute supports collaborative projects, hosts events, and facilitates knowledge exchange between academic researchers, community organizations, and policymakers interested in gender issues. Her extensive community engagement includes regular contributions as a book reviewer, columnist, and media expert on gender-related topics.