About
Dr. Sarah Wingrove is an interdisciplinary scholar at the University of Surrey working across literary studies, sociology, and histories of sexuality and gender. She recently completed her PhD with a thesis titled Treading Carefully: Queer Pilgrimage and the Travel Motivations of Anne Lister and Twenty-First Century 'Lister Sisters'. Her academic appointments include positions within the School of Literature and Languages and Sociology department, where she serves as an Associate Tutor.
Her educational background includes an Interdisciplinary PhD in English Literature and Sociology from the University of Surrey (2025), an MA in Film Studies from King's College London (2019), and a BA in Film Studies with placement year at Warner Brothers Production TV UK (2017). She maintains affiliations with the British Sociological Association (BSA), Royal Historical Society (RHS), and British Association of Victorian Studies (BAVS).
Dr. Wingrove specializes in lesbian and queer studies from the late eighteenth century onwards, with research interests spanning gender and sexuality, social history, queer studies, pilgrimage studies, literary figure communities, and fandom behaviors. Her methodological expertise includes archival research, autoethnographic analysis, and conducting and coding semi-structured interviews.
Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on queer historical figures, particularly Anne Lister, and the intersections between historical scholarship and contemporary LGBTQ+ communities. She has contributed to journals including the Journal of Lesbian Studies and Modern & Contemporary France, with work exploring queer pilgrimage practices, representations of sexuality in film, and the cultural impact of historical figures.
- Runner up for Best Essay by a Doctoral Student at the BAFTSS Publication Awards 2023
- Runner up for Best Article Prize 2023 for Modern and Contemporary France
Dr. Wingrove has provided research-led teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate students in English Literature and Sociology, currently leading seminars for Contemporary Issues in Sociology. She actively contributes to the Sex, Gender and Sexualities Research Centre and supports Packed With Potential, an organization dedicated to Anne Lister scholarship. Her conference presentations at venues including the British Sociological Association and Anne Lister Society reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship that bridges academic research and community engagement.
