Katy Pilcher

Dr. Katy Pilcher is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Aston University, affiliated with the Research Centre for the Humanities. She specializes in gender, sexualities, embodiment, and social inequalities. Her research explores erotic dance, sex work, ageing, and digital exclusion. She leads projects such as 'Creative Voices, Activist Voices' with Fun Palaces, fostering civic engagement through creativity. She has published widely, including monographs like Erotic Performance and Spectatorship and co-edited volumes on queer sex work and religion. Her teaching includes modules on feminist theory, qualitative research, and identities. She holds external roles as an examiner at Trinity College Dublin and University of Westminster, and serves on editorial boards and professional committees.

• Education:
  • PhD Sociology, University of Warwick (2012)
  • MA Social Research, University of Warwick (2008)
  • BA (Hons) Sociology, University of Warwick (2007)

Research Interests: Her work intersects with power dynamics, visual methods, and creative pedagogies. Notable areas include the sexual health needs of online sex workers, ageing and digital exclusion, and the role of creativity in activism. She collaborates with organizations like Fun Palaces to translate research into public exhibitions and toolkits.

Grants and Projects: Recent funding includes Research England (Ageing and Digital Exclusion), the Collaborate Fund (Creative Voices project), and an ESRC Innovation Award for touring exhibitions. Her research emphasizes participatory methods and community impact.

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with Fun Palaces focus on sensory storytelling and civic activism. She also engages with NHS Trusts and academic networks to address marginalized populations' needs.