Sarah Kate Merry

Dr Sarah Kate Merry is a Research Fellow at Coventry University's Research Centre in Postdigital Cultures, focusing on the intersection of digital technologies and social interactions, particularly within marginalized communities. She leads the Postdigital Intimacies research cluster, exploring topics such as online safety for vulnerable adults, neurodiversity, and fan communities. Her work bridges social sciences and policy, aiming to inform legislation addressing online harms.

Education: She holds a Doctorate in Information Science (2014) and an MSc in Information Management (2010), both from Aberystwyth University. Her doctoral research examined friendship dynamics in online social networks, while her MSc focused on lurking behaviors in communities like LiveJournal.

Research Interests: Her studies include online peer support groups, digital intimacy, fan culture, and accessibility in education for disabled students. Notable projects include the PACES initiative (improving access for disabled students in North Africa) and the STEAM Stars project (developing competencies for teaching gifted students in Europe).

Grants and Projects: She has led or co-led four major projects, including the Postdigital Intimacies for Online Safety initiative (2023), which produced policy recommendations through co-production workshops. Her work emphasizes collaborative approaches to address gaps in online safety and educational inclusivity.

Awards: She received the Outstanding Supervisory Team of the Year 2019 award for her role in supporting students and fostering academic mentorship.

Labs/Teams: She is part of the Postdigital Intimacies cluster, collaborating with academics and policymakers to advance research on digital cultures and their societal impacts.