Helen McCarthy

Helen McCarthy is an Academic Associate in Criminology and Sociology at York St John University, within the School of Humanities. She is also a PhD researcher focusing on internet-based communities, conspiracy theories, and anti-vaccination mis/disinformation in 'Alt Tech' online spaces.

Helen holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Manchester (2014) and an MA in Criminology from the University of Central Lancashire (2021). Her academic journey includes a documentary podcast series examining the 'cult-like' aspects of online communities such as multi-level marketing, 'pick-up artists', and social media influencers.

Her research interests center on niche internet communities and their societal impact. Key areas include digital ethnography of anti-vaccination movements, conspiracy theory dynamics, and the analysis of online subcultures like Facebook-based 'predator hunting' groups. She employs qualitative methodologies to explore how these communities shape and are shaped by contemporary social contexts.

Recent publications and conference contributions highlight her focus on misinformation and its societal effects. In 2024, she co-authored a study on prison subcultures and published an analysis of anti-vaccination conspiracies targeting LGBTQ+ communities. Her work bridges criminological and sociological perspectives with digital ethnography, addressing modern challenges in online discourse.

Helen McCarthy does not currently have any listed advisees. No grant information is provided in the text. Her teaching modules include Crime and Deviance in the Contemporary World, Preventing and Punishing, Social Research Methods (Qualitative), and Victimology.

She is affiliated with the School of Humanities at York St John University, though specific lab or team affiliations are not detailed in the provided text.