Laura Fenton

Dr Laura Fenton is an Honorary Research Fellow in Geography at the University of Manchester, specializing in youth transitions, lifecourse sociology, and generational studies. Her work examines how societal structures shape young adults' trajectories, with a focus on inequality and social justice. She holds a PhD from the University of Manchester (2018) on British women’s drinking biographies. Fenton co-convened the Alcohol Study Group at the British Sociological Association (2016–2019) and has contributed to projects like 'Austerity and Altered Life-Courses' and 'Youth Drinking in Decline'.

Research Interests

• Youth transitions and generational dynamics
• Life course analysis and biographical methods
• Alcohol consumption trends and cultural shifts
• Socio-political impacts of austerity policies
• Creative non-extractive research methodologies

Awards

• Making a Difference Awards 2024
• NCRM Impact Prize (Runners-up) 2023
• UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships Impact Prize - Public Engagement (Highly Commended) 2024

Grants & Projects

• Lead researcher in 'Austerity and Altered Life-Courses: Socio-Political Ruptures to Family, Employment and Housing Biographies Across Europe' (2021–2025)
• Contributed to interdisciplinary studies on youth drinking decline and gendered alcohol practices

Labs/Teams Active in the Manchester Centre for Developmental Sociology and collaborates with the Alcohol Study Group.