Exploring Men, Masculinity and Contemporary Sexual Cultures

At present, there appears that there is an increasing saturation of the sexual within everyday culture. At the same time, access to such sexualization appears to be widening with a range of social groups now able to access diverse sexual and erotic practices. Although there appears to be some agreement that the sexualisation of culture is taking place, there is much debate about whether this involves the development of new genders and sexual identities, or whether it is a re-inscription of existing structures of sexual and gender inequality. Of particular importance is to understand how contemporary masculinities and femininities might be re-shaped and reconfigured.

More specifically, is the emergence of new ways of being sexual having an impact on how people are making themselves. Areas such as ’swinger clubs’, BDSM, pornography, hooking-up, mobile dating, sex addiction, dogging, online sex-seeking, sexual risk-taking, sex education will be considered. The emergence of apparently newer genders and sexualities such as asexuality, pansexuality, non-binary genders or transgender identities are also providing an important aspect to the interplay between men and sex. This research project primarily uses qualitative research.

The project is looking for students who are interested in exploring men, masculinity and contemporary sexual culture.

There is no funding attached and none that can be applied for, so this project so this a self-funded PhD. Students with a scholarship are welcome to apply.

A supervisory team will be assigned to support the student throughout the duration of the PhD