Alicia Denby

Dr. Alicia Denby is a Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the sociology of personal life, particularly singlehood, urban experiences, and contemporary dating practices. She holds a PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University, funded by the Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship, and has published widely on topics such as queer singlehood, dating apps, and gender dynamics in media.

Educations:

• PhD in Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University (Leverhulme Trust funded)
• MSc Sociological Research, University of Manchester
• BA(Hons) Sociology and English, Manchester Metropolitan University

Research Interests: Alicia critically examines societal norms privileging coupledom, exploring how single people navigate urban spaces, dating apps, and gendered expectations. Her work challenges heteronormative and sexist portrayals in media, evident in her analysis of Love Island and dating practices.

Key Contributions: Her 2024 article on 'cold intimacies' in dating was recognized as one of the top-read papers in Emotions and Society. She has also authored guides on conducting ethical online research.

Awards & Recognition:

• Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship
• Top 5 Most Read Journal Article in Emotions and Society (2023)

Teaching & Supervision: Alicia leads modules on criminology, sociology, and personal life studies. She supervises projects on queer singlehood, urban space, and digital intimacy.