Laura Clancy

Dr. Laura Clancy is a Lecturer in Media Research at Lancaster University's Sociology Department, part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). She serves as Co-Director of Education in Sociology and Co-Director of the Centre for Gender Studies. Her research intersects sociology, media studies, and gender studies, focusing on inequality, power structures, and media representation. Her work examines the cultural politics of the British monarchy and aristocracy, as well as digital hate culture targeting academics.

Clancy's first monograph, *Running the Family Firm: How the Royal Family Manages Its Image and Our Money* (2021), frames the monarchy as a corporate entity, analyzing its economic and cultural functions. Her upcoming book *What Is the Monarchy For?* (2025) critiques the monarchy's modern relevance. Current research explores British country houses' resilience in a corporatized world. She co-leads the *Cultures of Digital Hate* project, addressing online harassment risks for academics.

Clancy has secured grants from ESRC, ISRF, and The Sociological Review. Her work has appeared in outlets like *The New York Times*, *BBC News*, and *CNN*. She co-edits the *Routledge Transformations* series and serves on the *Cultural Sociology* editorial board. Teaching includes modules on gender studies, media theory, and feminist media analysis.

Her awards include shortlists for the BSA Philip Abrams Prize and AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinkers. She advocates for institutional support against digital hate and has advised on policy and media projects, including BBC documentaries and parliamentary reports.