Research Manager
As Research Manager, Abby leads in the operational delivery of the research element of UCA’s Research and Innovation portfolio, with primary focus in the area of research culture and environment, impact, researcher and ECR development, REF preparation, and research infrastructures such as ethics and integrity processes. Her own research background lies in Screen Studies, and she is also a PhD supervisor at UCA.
Bio
Abby first joined UCA in 2019 as REF Officer, following her PhD studentship and work as a Research Assistant at the University of Winchester. As REF Officer she supported UCA’s 2021 REF submission, working with researchers to develop their research outputs and impact case studies. Abby has also worked at UCA as a Post Doctoral Teaching Fellow and Lecturer in Screen Studies.
Abby has a PGCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her current role as Research Manager builds upon this range of experience, now leading in the operational delivery of the research element of UCA’s Research and Innovation portfolio.
Research statement
Abby is research active, with a specialism in the horror genre. She completed her PhD studentship in Film Studies at the University of Winchester which focused on the representation of Nazis in contemporary horror films. Her previous research utilises genre theory, cultural studies and psychoanalysis, frequently connecting the horror genre to socio-political anxieties. Her current research is particularly interested in perceptions of acting in the horror genre, and its intersection with both practical and digital effects.
Research supervision
Abby is interested in supervising PhDs within Screen Studies, particularly those focusing on genre studies, horror, cultural studies, performance studies and video essay practice. She currently supervises two PhD students at UCA:
- Liaoliao Wu (2022 – Present) Primary Supervisor. ‘Contemporary Chinese Neo-Noir and Global Film Noir: Bi-directional Influences’
- Anahita Fazaeli (2023 – Present) Second Supervisor. ‘Exploring the Developments of Ethnic Representation in British Children’s Television Programmes: A Case Study of Postman Pat’
- Fellow of Advance HE
- Member of the British Association for Film, Television and Screen Studies
- Member of the Association for Research Managers and Administrators