Romance and/or Erotica

This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: Romance and/or Erotica

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.

The study of Romance and Erotica in their broadest forms is now being given more prominence in the academic field, albeit through often disparate strands. This is surprising given their popularity. For example, Romantic Fiction has long been one of the most popular genres of writing, outselling most other forms. However, despite its wide readership, it faces questions about the lack of diverse representation, as well as frequent attention being drawn to, for example, racist tropes of the othered body in both Romance and Erotica. Debates about the blurred boundaries surrounding pornography and Erotica similarly rage, as questions of ethics and morality circle.  

How are narratives of Romance/Erotica mediated through history? How do other cultures and societies represent and interrogate Romance/Erotica? How are images, narratives, and notions of Romance/Erotica read and understood through time and place? How do we navigate questions of consent? Bodily boundaries? Morality? Race? How do they engage with issues such as class? Capitalism? Power/control? Sex and sexualities? How do they respond to and shape attitudes towards contemporary cultural concerns such as digital media; pornography; gender roles; sexual relationships; sex work; consent; ageing; mental health; sexual and physical health; the law; politics; and crime. How do they engage with celebrity culture, fashion, and place?  

We are seeking ground-breaking, innovative, and challenging practice-based and critical research proposals on Romance and/or Erotica in their widest sense, including, but not limited to, Bonkbusters and bestsellers, soap operas and mini-series, Gothic and Pulp Romances, melodrama and fantasy, popular magazines and literary Erotica, Hollywood and Bollywood, Romcoms and sitcoms, high and low culture, the sensational and the scandalous, digital depictions and heartwarming tales, the private and the public, Hallmark and Pornhub. 

Proposals on creative writing, literature, history, fashion, illustration, film, TV, popular culture, performance studies, games, and many other genres and mediums will be considered. 

Projects deriving from this brief are expected to sit within the Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy and the following department.

All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy.