About
Dr. Victoria (Tori) Cann is an Associate Professor in Humanities at the University of East Anglia’s Interdisciplinary Institute for the Humanities. Her research focuses on gender politics, feminist theory, and youth cultures, with a particular emphasis on feminist knowledge production. She holds editorial roles at Journal of Gender Studies and Boyhood Studies, and is an Executive Team member of the Gender and Education Association.
- Education: PhD (2014), MA (Distinction) in Media and Cultural Politics (2014), BA (First Class) in Contemporary Culture (2009) – all from the University of East Anglia.
- Administrative Roles: Research Director (2025–present), MA Gender Studies Course Director (2019–2025), and various teaching leadership positions.
Her research explores the reproduction of gender norms, youth masculinities/femininities, and feminist methodologies. Current projects include Lifting Barriers: Educated Boys for Gender Equality (UNESCO partnership) and De-essentialising Girlhood Studies. She has published widely on topics like zine-making as resistance and girls’ rights in pandemic contexts.
Teaching focuses on feminist methodologies, cultural politics, and identity intersections. Awards include the UEA Excellence in Teaching Award (2015) and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2020).
- Supervised Research: Current PhD students investigate digital self-representation in China and girls’ education in Afghanistan. Previous students include Dr. Nathania Atkinson (Jamaican diaspora studies) and Dr. Hua Ma (Chinese beauty culture).
- Grants/Activities: Lead UK/Ireland delegate for the Global Media Monitoring Project and organizer of multiple conferences/workshops on gender equality and youth.
She co-leads initiatives like the Being Human Festival and engages in public outreach through media commentary on topics like fangirl culture and gender politics in reality TV.
