Matthew Kearney

Dr. Matthew Kearney is a Lecturer in Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology at the University of Liverpool's School of Law and Social Justice. He holds a PhD and specializes in social movements, collective action, and the intersection of epigenetics with gender and society. His research includes the 2011 Wisconsin Uprising, which influenced the Occupy Movement, and contemporary issues like men's attitudes toward epigenetics and fertility. He co-hosts Extinction Rebellion Radio, focusing on climate crisis awareness. Previously, he taught at Harvard University, Emerson College, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Research Interests
His work bridges sociology and science studies, examining how biological concepts like epigenetics shape gender roles and societal norms. He analyzes protest dynamics, including solidarity tactics and state repression, while addressing ethical dimensions in genetic counseling and reproductive rights. His interdisciplinary approach combines classical sociological theory (Bourdieu, Therborn) with modern social justice themes.

Teaching
Dr. Kearney coordinates modules like Climate Change and Society and Sociological Theory, and teaches Quantitative Research Methods and Dissertation. His courses emphasize critical engagement with environmental crises and foundational sociological frameworks.

Publications
Recent work includes analyses of masculinity and epigenetics (NORMA 2025), theoretical syntheses of Bourdieu and Therborn (Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour 2024), and studies on genetic counseling ethics (Social Science History 2023). His 2020 book The Social Order of Collective Action remains a key text on labor protests and social mobilization.