This is Me (a little part of me anyway)

Having recently started my PhD research its easy to feel inundated with information and tasks - the list seems endless of what I could or should be doing. So why am I writing a blog? Isn't that just adding to my stress? I'm quite new to this but I feel that writing down my thoughts and passions about my research will help me remember why I'm doing it, and hopefully reach others who share my passion and can in turn share their insights!

I'm taking my life experiences into academia in the hopes of making a difference. I'm passionate about gender equality and gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, and approach this from a cultural point of view. What are the messages we as a society are receiving from media? What normative behaviours are we adopting from exposure to popular culture? How does this influence the way men and women behave and interact?

These are just a few questions that I ask in my research. In looking at popular culture (my honours thesis was an analysis of popular music from the late 1980s to the early 1990s), I'm exploring the nuances of meaning. I aim not to condemn but to raise awareness and explore alternative ideologies, to build curiosity and respect.

So welcome to this insight into my journey which I hope will develop, grow and transform as I learn.