Lexi Webster

Dr Lexi Webster is Associate Professor of Digital Culture and Deputy Director of Digital Humanities at the University of Southampton, leading research on trust and technology at the Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities. Their interdisciplinary work examines cognitive processes underlying social inequities, with particular focus on transgender politics in digital media contexts. Webster holds editorial positions at multiple academic journals and serves on UKRI, ESRC and AHRC peer review colleges.

Research specializes in critical analysis of techno-politics surrounding transphobia across global social media platforms and its offline political manifestations. Publications investigate discursive legitimization of anti-trans hostility through frameworks of underemployment, essentialism, and legislative conflation.

As Principal Investigator for the Queer Joy as a Digital Good project, Webster developed benchmarking standards for facilitating queer-positive digital environments amidst global anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy recognizes contributions to inclusive pedagogy and research ethics.