Behind The Research Podcast

Conversations in sex, gender and feminist research.

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Social Sciences
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Behind The Research, hosted by Holly Murphy, spotlights the feminist, sex, and gender research at York St John University. Each week, we interview a YSJ academic about their work and their journey into academia. behindtheresearchpod.substack.com

4d ago

Episode 4: Policing gender in Church of England doctrine; the rescuing of denigrated 'feminine' traits in Goddess and Witch spiritualities

In this interview, I speak to Dr Sharon Jagger. Sharon is an Associate Professor of Religion at York St John University. I ask Sharon about her trajectory through higher education and her experiences within the institution. We talk about the concept of belonging, and non-belonging, within University spaces. We also discuss Sharon’s research on women and the Church of England, where she explores how gender is socially constructed through beliefs and institutions and how doctrine in the Church of England polices the boundaries of gender. We then talk about Sharon’s research on Goddess and Witch spiritualities, which operate outside of those institutional parameters, and how the appeal to the feminine divine can work to rescue denigrated ‘feminine’ traits. Find more of Sharon’s research, here: Staff profiles : Sharon Jagger | York St John UniversityLinks to Sharon’s book & film recommendations: Shulamith Firestone – The Dialectic of Sex: The Case for Feminist Revolution Sophie Lewis - Enemy Feminisms: TERFs, Policewomen, and Girlbosses Against LiberationBehind The Research: Conversations in Sex, Gender and Feminist research was created, produced and hosted by Holly Murphy with audio production by Samantha Goddard. This podcast was made possible by QR funding from York St John University School of Humanities. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindtheresearchpod.substack.com
Oct 5

Episode 3: Feminist Theology, Trans and Non-binary staff and students in HE, and Palestine Solidarity.

In this episode I interview Professor Esther McIntosh. Esther is a Professor of Feminist Theology and Ethics, and director of the Centre for Religion in Society at York St John University. As well as the journey to her Professorship and her experiences of the institution, Esther discusses two of her key research areas. Esther shares her work on The Trans and Non-Binary Staff and Students Project, a two-year project hearing the voices of trans and non-binary staff and students across universities. We also talk about Esther’s research into Palestine solidarity as a feminist, theological and ethical issue. Find out more about Esther’s research, here: Esther McIntosh - Research at York St John University Links to Esther’s book & film recommendations: Sara Ahmed Living a Feminist Life Natasha Walter Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism Virginia Woolf A Room of One’s Own Film: Promising Young Woman Behind The Research: Conversations in Sex, Gender and Feminist research was created, produced and hosted by Holly Murphy with audio production by Samantha Goddard. This podcast was made possible by QR funding from York St John University School of Humanities. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindtheresearchpod.substack.com
Sep 28

Episode 2: Sexual Violence in Racial Capitalism

In this episode I remotely interview Professor Alison Phipps. Alison is a Professor of Political Sociology, and Associate Head of SPIRe (Social sciences, Politics, International Relations and Religion) at York St John University. As well as finding out about Alison’s journey into academia, I ask about her new book, entitled ‘Sexual Violence in Racial Capitalism’. The book is the result of more than two decades of research, teaching and activism, and develops a political economy of sexual violence, and explains how the concepts of race and coloniality are as absolutely central as gender. You can find out more about Alison’s research, here: https://phipps.space Discount codes: You can use the discount code ‘OTH583’ for 50% off Alison’s new book, Sexual Violence in Racial Capitalism (https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526147349/), or her book, Me, Not You: The Trouble With Mainstream Feminism (https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526155801/) Links to Alison’s book recommendations: Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves | Goodreads Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Riotous Black Girls, Troublesome Women, and Queer Radicals by Saidiya Hartman | Goodreads Behind The Research: Conversations in Sex, Gender and Feminist research was created, produced and hosted by Holly Murphy with audio production by Samantha Goddard. This podcast was made possible by QR funding from York St John University School of Humanities. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindtheresearchpod.substack.com
Sep 23

Episode 1: The Clitoris: A Social History

In this episode I interview Dr Eeva Sointu. Eeva is an Associate Professor in Sociology and co-lead of the Sociology courses at York St John University. I ask Eeva about her journey into academia, her experiences within it, and the book she is currently writing. Eeva’s book is provisionally entitled ‘The clitoris: A social history’. The book explores how knowledge about the body, including the sexual body, is always socially and historically located and intensely political. You can find out more about Eeva’s work here: Sointu, Dr Eeva - Research at York St John. Eeva’s book recommendations: Formations of Class & Gender: Becoming Respectable by Beverley SkeggsBehind The Research: Conversations in Sex, Gender and Feminist research was created, produced and hosted by Holly Murphy with audio production by Samantha Goddard. This podcast was made possible by QR funding from York St John University School of Humanities. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindtheresearchpod.substack.com

4 Episodes

Creator

Conversations in sex, gender and feminist research.
Years Active

2026
Episodes

4
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Behind The Research Podcast

Behind The Research Podcast

Episodes

Episode 4: Policing gender in Church of England doctrine; the rescuing of denigrated 'feminine' traits in Goddess and Witch spiritualities

Episode 3: Feminist Theology, Trans and Non-binary staff and students in HE, and Palestine Solidarity.

Episode 2: Sexual Violence in Racial Capitalism

Episode 1: The Clitoris: A Social History

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