Lisa Smyth

Dr. Lisa Smyth is a Professor at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen's University Belfast. Her work focuses on norms, emotions, and long-term social change with emphases on gender, reproduction, and family life. She is particularly known for her research on abortion politics in Ireland and the evolving moral landscape post-repeal of the Eighth Amendment.

Research Interests
Her research explores the intersections of moral conflicts, state policy, and family dynamics. Key areas include the social politics of abortion, motherhood, sectarianism in Belfast, and the emotional dimensions of normative change. She is currently developing a monograph on Ireland's 'moral revolution' and has authored seminal works like Abortion and Nation: The Politics of Reproduction in Contemporary Ireland (2005) and The Demands of Motherhood: Agents, Roles and Recognition (2012).

Teaching
She teaches courses on the Sociological Imagination, Norms and Social Change, and Inequality and Emotions at undergraduate and master's levels.

Public Engagement
Dr. Smyth has delivered over 100 invited lectures, keynote addresses, and media contributions. Her work has been featured in expert commentaries on Irish abortion law, pandemic caregiving, and gender-based policy reforms. Recent talks include discussions on 'Unpaid Care Work and Gender Equality after COVID-19' (2021) and 'Ireland's Moral Revolution' (2021).

Awards

• Faculty Research Initiatives Fund Award (2023)
• QUB Seeds Fund - Covid-19 (2020)

Grants & Activities

• Supervised 4 PhD projects on topics like gendered social roles and reproductive politics.
• Active in peer-review processes and editorial boards.