Helen Warner

Helen Warner is an Associate Professor in Cultural Politics, Communication and Media Studies at the University of East Anglia, School of Media, Language and Communication Studies. She is affiliated with several research groups including Media Equality, Cultural Politics, Communications & Media, and Gender and Its Intersections. Her academic home is the Department of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies.

• PhD in Media and Cultural Studies, University of East Anglia (2011)
• MA in Media and Cultural Studies, University of East Anglia (2007)
• BA in Media and Cultural Studies, University of East Anglia (2006)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice, University of East Anglia (2012)

Helen Warner’s research lies at the intersection of feminism, gender, and media, with a focus on labor in the creative industries, fashion, costume, and celebrity culture. She employs feminist methods and is deeply engaged in interrogating gendered power dynamics in media production and representation. Her work often explores how identity, labor, and cultural value are negotiated in contemporary media landscapes.

Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in feminist media historiography, gendered labor in costume and film industries, and post-#MeToo authorship. Themes include the invisibilization of women’s labor in media production, feminist resistance through craft and community, and the politics of representation in fashion and television. Her scholarship bridges academic research and public discourse, frequently engaging with contemporary cultural debates.

Helen Warner is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an active member of several professional networks, including the Feminist Studies Association and the Women’s History Network. She has held significant administrative roles such as Research Director, Senior Advisor, and Course Director for multiple degree programs.

She supervises PhD students and serves as an external PhD supervisor at Norwich University College of the Arts. Her leadership extends to curriculum development, gender equity initiatives (e.g., Athena Swan), and public engagement through media contributions on feminism and media culture.

Helen Warner is a core member of interdisciplinary research collectives focused on media equality and gender politics. She has contributed to collaborative projects such as the Being Human Festival, promoting public humanities and cultural dialogue.