Sarah Ilott

Dr. Sarah Ilott is a Senior Lecturer in English and Film at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she co-leads the Centre for Migration and Postcolonial Studies. Her research examines representations of British multiculturalism in screen comedy and postcolonial Gothic literature, with a focus on race, racism, and national identity.

Research explores how screen comedies from 1958-present challenge dominant narratives of multiculturalism through counter-narratives addressing racialized crime assumptions, interethnic romance tropes, and postracial myths. Authored monographs include Screening Multicultural Britain (2023) and New Postcolonial British Genres (2015).

Public engagement includes media commentary on comedy and racism (BBC, ABC Australia), film screenings with directors like Gurinder Chadha, and community courses on women in comedy. Research-informed teaching emphasizes decolonizing curriculum approaches.

Supervises doctoral projects on postcolonial British literature, Middle Eastern Gothic, and Algerian diaspora. Leads departmental Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and collaborates with Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies.