معرفی
Professor James Cronin is a Professor in Consumer Culture Studies at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and Director of the LUMS Centre for Consumption Insights. His research focuses on the social and cultural dimensions of consumer behavior, including marketplace ideologies, consumer escapism, health & well-being, and celebrity brand relationships. He has led major interdisciplinary projects such as the UKRI NERC-funded 'Plastic Packaging in People's Lives' (PPiPL), examining plastic's socio-cultural role. Cronin has published in journals like Marketing Theory and Annals of Tourism Research, and co-edited a special issue on Consumer Culture Theory. He co-chaired the 2025 Cybernetic Culture Workshop, exploring digitalization's impact on consumer culture and security. His teaching emphasizes critical perspectives on branding and consumer culture, earning awards such as the 2018 Management School Teaching Prize.
Education & Research: Cronin's work bridges philosophy, sociology, and cultural theory. He authored The Little Book of Plastics in Everyday Life, framing plastic as a 'passengerial' icon. Recent research explores Gothic and uncanny aspects of consumption. He supervises PhD students in areas like interpretive consumer research and critical marketing studies.
Grants & Awards: Key grants include £760k for PPiPL (2020–2024) and two 2023–2026 PhD studentships on healthcare service experiences and bureau-medicalization. Awards include the 2022 University-wide Staff Awards 'Highly Commended' for teaching.
Media & Outreach: Cronin contributes to public discourse via outlets like The Conversation, addressing topics like nutrition labeling and celebrity branding. He engages in knowledge exchange through events like the Cybernetic Culture Workshop and public lectures on consumption trends.
Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Centre for Consumption Insights, collaborating with Security Lancaster and RISCS on interdisciplinary projects. Active in conferences like the Consumer Culture Theory Conference and Macromarketing Society events.
