Jessica Ruth Austin

Jessica Ruth Austin is an Associate Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, affiliated with the Cambridge School of Creative Industries within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. She is based in Cambridge and contributes to teaching and research in cultural and media studies.

Education:

• PhD in English and Media, Anglia Ruskin University
• MA in Media and Cultural Politics, University of East Anglia
• BA in Politics, University of East Anglia

Her research explores how users construct and perform online identities, with a particular interest in fan communities such as the Furry fandom and female fans of Star Wars. She investigates the ethical dimensions of digital research, identity performance, and posthuman theory. Her work intersects cultural studies, film studies, and digital ethics, focusing on how online spaces enable new forms of identity and community formation that challenge offline norms.

Her recent publications examine ethical narratives in video games like Horizon Zero Dawn, fan reception of major franchises, and the emotional risks in online research. These works reflect a broader trend in her scholarship toward understanding identity, ethics, and affect in digital cultures.

Scientific Awards:

Jessica actively mentors graduate students and shares advice on PhD research. She has presented her work at notable conferences such as the South Atlantic Modern Language Association and the Fan Studies Network Conference. Her research contributes to evolving discourses on digital identity, fandom, and the ethical responsibilities of scholars in online spaces.

Labs and Research Groups: No specific labs or teams are mentioned in the provided text.