People

Professor Róisín Ryan-Flood

Professor
Department of Sociology and Criminology
Professor Róisín Ryan-Flood
  • Email

  • Telephone

    +44 (0) 1206 873551

  • Location

    5A.338, Colchester Campus

  • Academic support hours

    13-14.00 on Tuesdays

Profile

Biography

I am Professor of Sociology and Director of the Centre for Intimate and Sexual Citizenship (CISC) at the University of Essex. My research interests include gender, sexuality, citizenship, kinship, migration and digital intimacy. I also have a longstanding interest in feminist epistemology and methodology. My research takes an intersectional feminist approach. My book Lesbian Motherhood: Gender, Families and Sexual Citizenship was published by Palgrave in 2009. I am co-editor of Silence and Secrecy in the Research Process: Feminist Reflections (Routledge, 2010) and Transnationalising Reproduction: Third Party Conception in a Globalised World (Routledge, 2018). I have edited several journal special issues on topics such as sexuality and social theory; visual culture; and feminist epistemology. Since 2012, I have been co-editor of the journal Sexualities: Studies in Culture and Society. My research has been funded by the ESRC, Brocher Foundation, the British Academy and UCU. I have given numerous presentations and papers at conferences and universities in the UK and abroad, including Ireland, Sweden, Italy, the US, Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico and Australia. I was a keynote speaker for conferences at Trinity College Dublin, Stockholm University, Sweden and LSE.

Qualifications

  • PhD London School of Economics and Political Science

  • MPhil Trinity College Dublin

  • BA University College Cork

Research and professional activities

Research interests

Gender, sexuality and citizenship, with particular reference to kinship, assisted reproduction and migration

Open to supervise

feminist epistemology

Open to supervise

research methodology

Open to supervise

ESRC funded project about Sexuality, 'Citizenship and migration: the Irish Queer Diaspora in London'

Current research

Holding Hands: Experiences of Shame, Pride and Protest among LGBTQ Relationship Partners

This project explores the experiences of shame, pride or protest amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) relationship partners around ‘holding hands’, or expressing physical affection, in public.
More information about this project

Conferences and presentations

Holding Hands: Physical affection among LGBTQ relationship partners in public

Lesbian Lives Conference, Lesbian Lives Conference, Cork, Ireland, 11/3/2022

Teaching and supervision

Current teaching responsibilities

  • Researching the Real World: Qualitative Approaches to Studying Crime and Society (SC203)

  • Sociology of Sexualities (SC291)

Previous supervision

Parvaneh Astinfeshan
Parvaneh Astinfeshan
Thesis title: The Impact of Migration on Marital Relationships (Gender Roles, Marital Power, Sexual and Intimate Relations) Among Iranian Couples in London.
Degree subject: Sociology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 7/2/2024
Laura Frances Derwent Carter
Laura Frances Derwent Carter
Thesis title: Machine-Readable Lives or ‘Troubled Families’? Classification, Categorisation and Stereotyping in Data Collection and Sharing in Children’S Social Care in England
Degree subject: Human Rights and Research Methods
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 17/10/2023
Samuel Jacob Heyes
Samuel Jacob Heyes
Thesis title: The Experience of Waiting for Gender Affirming Care in England: Emotions, Temporality and Coping.
Degree subject: Sociology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/10/2023
Elisabeth Anne Johnston
Elisabeth Anne Johnston
Thesis title: Exploring the Psychosocial Wellbeing of Lgbt Refugees: A Psychosocial Case Study of the UK and South Africa
Degree subject: Refugee Care
Degree type: Master of Philosophy
Awarded date: 29/6/2023
Junpeng Shi
Junpeng Shi
Thesis title: Parenting in an Uncertain Future: The Experiences of Parents in the 'Pflag China' Community
Degree subject: Sociology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 9/9/2021
Kristen Michelle Schaubhut
Kristen Michelle Schaubhut
Thesis title: Digital Communication Technologies in Romantic Relationships
Degree subject: Sociology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/11/2020
Paul Robert Driscoll-Evans
Paul Robert Driscoll-Evans
Thesis title: Sexual Citizenship Beyond the Metropolis: Bareback Sex, Chemsex and Loneliness in a Rural County in the United Kingdom
Degree subject: Sociological Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 19/10/2020
Gulcimen Karakeci
Gulcimen Karakeci
Thesis title: Response to Domestic Abuse in Turkey: A Feminist Analysis
Degree subject: Sociology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 21/6/2019
Ekaterine Iakobishvili
Ekaterine Iakobishvili
Thesis title: Exploring the Applicability and Limitations of International Human Rights Law to the Protection of Transgender Persons: A Case Study on Detention
Degree subject: Law
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 14/5/2018
Alan Msosa
Alan Msosa
Thesis title: Human Rights and Same Sex Intimacies in Malawi
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 7/3/2018

Publications

Journal articles (15)

Rohleder, P., Ryan-Flood, R. and Walsh, J., (2023). Holding hands: LGBTQ people’s experiences of public displays of affection with their partner(s). Psychology and Sexuality. 14 (3), 559-571

Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). On Ken Plummer. Sexualities. 26 (4), 515-516

Ryan-Flood, R. and Munt, SR., (2021). Interview with Sally R Munt, Sexualities journal. Sexualities. 24 (7), 957-971

Ryan-Flood, R., (2020). Interview with MJ Barker. Feminist Encounters: A Journal of Critical Studies in Culture and Politics. 4 (1)

Beyer, C. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2019). Interview with Róisín Ryan-Flood. Feminist Encounters: A Journal of Critical Studies in Culture and Politics. 3 (1-2)

Ryan-Flood, R., (2018). A tribute to Agnes Skamballis, the journal editorial administrator. Sexualities. 21 (8), 1214-1215

Ryan-Flood, R., (2018). Sexualities twentieth anniversary editorial introduction. Sexualities. 21 (8), 1201-1203

Attwood, F., Ryan-Flood, R. and Kong, TSK., (2013). Welcome from Feona Attwood, Roisin Ryan-Flood and Travis SK Kong. Sexualities. 16 (7), 764-771

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Putting Yourself On the Line: Pedagogy, Homophobia and the Elephant in the Classroom. Lesbian and Gay Psychology Review. 10 (1)

Porfido, G. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Introduction - 'Intimate Visions: Sexuality, Representation and Visual Culture', special issue for the journal Sexualities: Studies in Culture and Society, 12(2). Sexualities. 12 (2), 131-135

Ryan-Flood, R. and Rooke, A., (2009). Que(e)rying Methodology: Lessons and Dilemmas from Lesbian Lives: An Introduction. Journal of Lesbian Studies. 13 (2), 115-121

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Queering Representation: Ethics and Visibility in Research. Journal of Lesbian Studies. 13 (2), 216-228

Gill, R. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2008). Editor's Introduction: Secrecy and Silence in Research: Opening up the Debates. Feminism and Psychology. 18 (3), 381-383

Ryan-Flood, R., (2005). Contested Heteronormativities: discourses of fatherhood among lesbian parents in Sweden and Ireland. Sexualities. 8 (2), 189-204

Ryan-Flood, R., (2003). Lesbian Parenting in Sweden and Ireland: The interaction between gender, sexuality and parenting. Lambda Nordica. 9 (1-2), 18-32

Books (8)

Ryan-Flood, R. and Murphy, AT., (2024). Queering Desire Lesbians, Gender and Subjectivity. 1032499036. 9781032499031

Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., (2023). Difficult Conversations A Feminist Dialogue. Routledge. 0367542609. 9781003088417

James-Hawkins, L. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). Consent. Routledge. 1003805108. 9781032415758

James-Hawkins, L. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). Introduction. Routledge. 9781032415758

Ryan-Flood, R. and Rooke, A., (2022). Queering Methodology Lessons and Dilemmas from Lesbian Lives. Routledge. 1032298723. 9781032298726

Ryan-Flood, R. and Gunnarsson Payne, J., (2018). Transnationalising Reproduction: Third Party Conception in a Globalised World. Routledge Taylor & Francis. 1317555740. 978-1-13-884071-3

Ryan-Flood, R. and Gill, R., (2010). Secrecy and Silence in the Research Process: Feminist Reflections. Routledge. 9780415605175

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Lesbian Motherhood: Gender, Families and Sexual Citizenship. Palgrave Macmillan. 9780230545410

Book chapters (30)

Ryan-Flood, R. and Hewamanne, S., Feminism and Race in Academia: An interview with Sandya Hewamanne. In: Difficult Conversations: Feminist Dialogues. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., . Routledge

Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., Difficult Conversations: Introduction. In: Difficult Conversations: Feminist Dialogues. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., . Routledge

Tooth-Murphy, A. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2024). Introduction. In: Queering Desire: Lesbians, Gender and Subjectivity. Editors: Tooth-Murphy, A., . Routledge

Ryan-Flood, R., (2024). Queer lineage: On generational sexualities, LGBTQ identity and visibility. In: Queering Desire: Lesbians, Gender and Subjectivity. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R. and Tooth-Murphy, A., . Routledge

Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). Queering the Academy. In: Difficult Conversations: Feminist Dialogues. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., . Routledge. 9780367542603

Ryan-Flood, R. and Barker, MJ., (2023). The Gender Wars and Difficult Conversations about Trans: An interview with Meg-John Barker. In: Difficult Conversations: Feminist Dialogues. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., . Routledge

Ryan-Flood, R. and Hewamanne, S., (2023). Feminism and Race in Academia: An interview with Sandya Hewamanne. In: Difficult Conversations: Feminist Dialogues. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., . Routledge

Hewamanne, S. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). Feminism and race in academia. In: Difficult Conversations. Routledge. 39- 49

Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., (2023). Introduction. In: Difficult Conversations. Routledge. 1- 7

Hewamanne, S. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). Feminism and race in academia: An interview with Sandya Hewamanne. In: Difficult Conversations A Feminist Dialogue. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R., Crowhurst, I. and James-Hawkins, L., . Taylor & Francis. 9780367542603

Ryan-Flood, R., (2023). Whose Consent?. In: Consent. Routledge. 308- 318. 9781032415758

Ryan-Flood, R., (2022). Queering Representation: Ethics and Visibility in Research. In: Queering Methodology Lessons and Dilemmas from Lesbian Lives. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R. and Rooke, A., . Taylor & Francis. 1000737578. 9781000737578

Ryan-Flood, R. and Rooke, A., (2022). Que(e)rying Methodology: Lessons and Dilemmas from Lesbian Lives: An Introduction. In: Queering Methodology: Lessons and Dilemmas from Lesbian Lives. Routledge

Ryan-Flood, R., (2018). Lesbians and Reproductive Healthcare. In: Transnationalising Reproduction Third Party Conception in a Globalised World. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R. and Gunnarsson-Payne, J., . Routledge. 162- 173. 9781138840713

Gunnarsson Payne, J. and Ryan-Flood, R., (2018). Introduction. In: Transnationalising Reproduction. Routledge. 1- 10. 9781315732695

Ryan-Flood, R., (2015). Sexuality, Citizenship and Migration: The Irish Queer Diaspora in London. In: Sexuality, Citizenship and Belonging: Trans-National and Intersectional Perspectives. Editors: Stella, F., Taylor, Y., Reynolds, T. and Rogers, A., . Routledge Taylor & Francis. 37- 54. 978-1138805040

Ryan-Flood, R., (2014). Staying Connected: Irish lesbian and gay narratives of family. In: The 'Irish' Family. Editors: Connolly, L., . Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 173- 187. 978-0-415-85532-7

Ryan-Flood, R., (2013). Keeping mum: Secrecy and silence in research on lesbian parenthood. In: Secrecy and Silence in the Research Process: Feminist Reflections. 188- 199. 9780415452144

Ryan-Flood, R., (2011). Display work: lesbian parent couples and their families of origin negotiating new kin relationships - A Commentary. In: Displaying Families: A New Concept for the Sociology of Family Life. Editors: Dermott, E. and Seymour, J., . Palgrave Macmillan. 122- 124. 9780230246133

Ryan-Flood, R., (2011). Negotiating Sexual Citizenship: Lesbians and reproductive health care. In: New Femininities: Postfeminism, Neoliberalism and Subjectivity. Editors: Gill, R. and Scharff, C., . Palgrave Macmillan. 246- 262. 9780230223349

Ryan-Flood, R., (2011). Commentary on Almack’s Chapter. In: Displaying Families. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 122- 124. 9781349319312

Ryan-Flood, R. and Gill, R., (2009). Introduction. In: Secrecy and Silence in the Research Process: Feminist Reflections. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R. and Gill, R., . Routledge. 9780415452144

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Keeping Mum: Secrecy and Silence in Research on Lesbian Parenthood. In: Secrecy and Silence in the Research Process: Feminist Reflections. Editors: Ryan-Flood, R. and Gill, R., . Routledge. 188- 199. 9780415452144

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Negotiating the Biological ‘Tie’: Identity, Power and Difference Among Lesbian Parents. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 110- 148. 9781349360895

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Challenging Heteronormativity?: Gender Flexibility and Lesbian Parenting. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 149- 178. 9781349360895

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Gender, Families and Social Change. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 18- 42. 9781349360895

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Introduction — Charting the Lesbian Baby Boom. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 1- 17. 9781349360895

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Conclusions: Beyond Assimilation and Transgression. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 179- 192. 9781349360895

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). Queering ‘Public’ Space. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 78- 109. 9781349360895

Ryan-Flood, R., (2009). In Search of Doctors, Donors and Daddies: Lesbian Reproductive Decision-Making. In: Lesbian Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 43- 77. 9781349360895

Reports and Papers (1)

Ryan-Flood, R., Boyce, P. and Sundberg, T., (2021). LGBTQ experiences of working in Higher Education: A Pilot Study. Research Report (UCU).

Grants and funding

2022

Donor Conception and Identity Disclosure: what happens when people trace their donor through social media or genetic testing?

British Academy

2020

Holding Hands: Experiences of shame, pride and protest among LGBT relationship partners

British Academy

Holding Hands: Experiences of shame, pride and protest among LGBT relationship partners

British Academy

2011

New Perspectives on Gamete and Embryo Donation: Ethics, Kinship and Citizenship in a Globalised World

European Science Foundation

Contact

rflood@essex.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1206 873551

Location:

5A.338, Colchester Campus

Academic support hours:

13-14.00 on Tuesdays