Niall Richardson

Dr. Niall Richardson is an Associate Professor (Media and Film) at the University of Sussex, part of the School of Media, Arts and Humanities. He previously taught at the University of Sunderland before joining Sussex in 2007. His academic roles include convening the MA Gender and Media program. Richardson's research focuses on minority group representations in film and media, particularly intersections with gender and sexuality. Key themes include LGBTQ+ representation, disability, transgender identifications, and ageing femininity in cinema.

Education: He holds an M.A. from the University of St. Andrews, a P.G.C.E. from Queen's University Belfast, and two M.A. and a PhD from the University of Ulster. His scholarly contributions include monographs like Transgressive Bodies: Representations in Film and Popular Culture (2010) and Trans Representation in Contemporary Popular Cinema (2022), as well as edited collections such as Cross Generational Relationships and Cinema (2020). He has authored textbooks on gender, sexuality, and body studies.

Research Interests: Richardson’s work critically examines queer cinema, trans representation, ageing in media, and cross-generational relationships. His analyses often address cultural stereotypes and the politics of identity in film and popular culture. Recent projects include studies on Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023) and representations of Muslim-drag in documentaries.

Teaching: He teaches undergraduate courses on Cinema and Sexualities, Film Musicals, and MA modules like Gender and Representation and Cinematic Bodies. His pedagogical focus aligns with his research, emphasizing critical media analysis and intersectional frameworks.

Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is noted, his collaborative work includes co-editing volumes and co-authoring studies with scholars like F. Smith and J. Gwynne.