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Isabel Sykes

@isabel-sykes.bsky.social
152 followers 255 following 43 posts

AHRC-funded PhD student in Sociology at Brunel, University of London. Based in West Yorkshire. Current research in class, domestic labour, and social media. (She/Her)

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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I'm running the London marathon!😱🏃‍♀️On Sunday 25th April 2027 I will be running 26.2 miles in aid of the National Autistic Society, which is a great cause that is close to my heart. Below is the link to my fundraising page. Thank you for the support! 2027tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/isabel-he...
2027tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com
Isabel's page
Thank you for visiting my 2027 TCS London Marathon fundraising page! I’m proud to be taking on this incredible 26.2 mile challenge through the heart of London in support of the National Autistic Socie
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Last week I had the pleasure of co-hosting the finale to the Uneven Ground seminar series at Kingston University with fellow PhD researcher Samantha Dick. We had presentations from PhD researchers and a keynote address from artist Kelly O'Brien. A lovely time all round and lots of great discussion!
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Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds @sspatleeds.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
“A timely and persuasive analysis…” Isabel Sykes (Brunel) has recently reviewed our Dr Jessica Martin’s 'Feminisms and Domesticity in Times of Crisis'. Read the review: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... Check out the book: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/feminisms...
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
It was an absolute pleasure to review Jess Martin @jessmartin.bsky.social's fantastic new book for @ejcs-journal.bsky.social. This has become a key text for my doctoral research and I'm sure it will be for many others! 👏📚 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Book review: Jessica Martin, Feminisms and Domesticity in Times of Crisis: The Rise of the Austerity Celebrity - Isabel Sykes, 2026
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I'm very pleased to have just received my copy of this funky new sociology textbook! I've written the appendix for this innovative volume, which offers a practical exploration of what it means for the social sciences to take colonialism seriously. bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-modern-w...
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Our next Uneven Ground seminar is coming up on Monday 9th March at 10:00am! We're so excited to be welcoming Maria Fusco, who will read from her 2023 book, Who Does Not Envy With Us Is Against Us, followed by a Q&A. Sign up for free via the link! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uneven-gro...
eventbrite.co.uk
Uneven Ground: 'Who Does Not Envy With Us Is Against Us' with Maria Fusco
Join us for the fourth session of this Techne student-led event series exploring the interplay of class, place and identity with Maria Fusco
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Thanks for the shoutout! This was a great conference and it was exciting to present on one of the chapters of my thesis which looks at class, domestic labour and the 'mental load'.
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
📢 Evidence submitted by @saradeb.bsky.social, Shireen Kanji and I for the Women and Equalities Committee's inquiry into egg donation and freezing has just been published. You can read it here: committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
committees.parliament.uk
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Sign-ups are currently FREE and OPEN for the next two seminars in the class-themed online seminar series I have been co-organising with fellow PhD student Samantha Dick. More info and how to sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/techne-st...
eventbrite.com
Techne Student-Led Event Series: 'Uneven Ground'
Through the diverse and nuanced perspectives of researchers across the arts and humanities, this seminar series explores how class, place, and identity intersect, encouraging critical reflection on ho...
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
The next installment of the Techne DTP online seminar series 'Uneven Ground' will take place on Tuesday 27th January at 12:30pm. The theme for this seminar is 'Social (Im)mobility' and we have two really exciting speakers (details and sign-ups on link below). www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uneven-gro...
eventbrite.co.uk
Uneven Ground: Social (Im)Mobility
Join us for the second session of this Techne student-led event series exploring the interplay of class, place and identity.
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
I am co-organising a Techne DTP student-led event series alongside fellow PhD student Samantha Dick. Starting in December, we are bringing together different perspectives on class from across the arts and humanities in monthly online seminars. Info and sign-ups: www.eventbrite.com/cc/techne-st...
eventbrite.com
Techne Student-Led Event Series: 'Uneven Ground'
Through the diverse and nuanced perspectives of researchers across the arts and humanities, this seminar series explores how class, place, and identity intersect, encouraging critical reflection on ho...
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
@saradebenedictis.bsky.social, Shireen Kanji, @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social and I recently submitted evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee’s reproductive health conditions inquiry. Read our evidence here: committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide... committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
committees.parliament.uk
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Looking forward to going up to @uniofstandrews.bsky.social next week to speak at the Union Debating Society! 🫡
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
I've really enjoyed making these worksheets. The Uncommon Sense podcast is such a great resource for making sociological research accessible to the general public, and a fab teaching aid! 💡💖
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
I had such a good time at the @meccsa2025.bsky.social conference last week! Highlights include presenting some ideas on class, domestic labour and the mental load, @nweidhase.bsky.social's fab paper on corporate queens and girlbosses, and winning the pub quiz with @meccsawomensnet.bsky.social pals!
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
So lovely catching up with the Women's Network @meccsawomensnet.bsky.social at the MeCCSA conference today! Excited for some more events, workshops and networking in the new term 🥰 @meccsa.bsky.social
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
A tough read to stomach, but an essential one. 'Men Who Hate Women' still has me reeling so I knew I had to read this one and it's just as mindblowing.
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Probably about 35%+ of all university Humanities posts will be closed. Those subjects will be taught in far fewer universities. There will be a lot less modular choice within those degrees that remain. A large-scale but unannounced policy change from central govt, with far-reaching implications.
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Anyone got any reading recs about 'crunchy mums/moms' or the 'crunchy to far-right pipeline'?
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Great episode!
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
I had the pleasure of presenting my work on romanticised depictions of domestic labour on TikTok this afternoon, alongside fabulous co-pannelists @effietheant.bsky.social and @dearstefania.bsky.social. We had a great Q&A session as well, thank you both! ❣️👌
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
So many great panels at @cp25atlanta.bsky.social this weekend but one of my favourites has to be the one this morning featuring amazing papers from @kmsweeneyromero.bsky.social , @krystenstein.bsky.social , Angel Trazo and Stephanie Pérez - Wow wow thank you all so much 💖📺
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Just arrived at @cp25atlanta.bsky.social! Loving sunny Atlanta so far, and very excited for all the panels this weekend 😎
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Technecast are now on Bluesky! I was so pleased to be part of this latest episode welcoming Viveca back to talk about her PhD on the practice of indigo dyeing🌼 Give us a listen on Spotify for more podcast eps showcasing PGR work from across the arts and humanities!
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Thrilled to have my article on TikTok tradwives and stay-at-home girlfriends appear in this issue alongside some amazing scholars 🌟🥰
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
I'm so glad I pre-ordered @emmahcasey.bsky.social's new book! Absolutely hoovering up (pun intended) these incredibly timely insights as I write up my thesis on mediated narratives of domestic labour 👌
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Safety Nets @safety-nets.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Are you: ✅ Living in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? ✅ A parent or carer of a child under 18? ✅ Receiving at least one UK benefit (e.g. Universal Credit, PIP, Tax Credits) or asylum support? If so – we’d love to hear from you. safetynets.study/take-part
safetynets.study
Safety nets — Social security for families in a devolved UK
This project will explore the extent of the devolution of social security within the UK and the realities, risks, and opportunities this poses for families with dependent children.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 14/03/2025
What it will take to reduce child poverty in the UK? The most effective step would be to scrap the benefit cap and the two-child limit. @alexclegg.bsky.social explains ⤵️
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
'The role of the Arts and Humanities Research Fellow will be to conduct primary and secondary research on the impact of arts and humanities research on parliamentary scrutiny, culminating in the production of a report for policy audiences, & an academic journal article for the research community.'
jobs.ac.uk
Arts and Humanities Research Fellow at House of Commons
Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Please consider signing to support the #STOPtheCUTS campaign against the current decimation of HE. As a PhD student about to enter the academic job market, the horrific cuts to staff currently underway at Brunel and elsewhere make me despair. stopthecutspetition.org.uk
stopthecutspetition.org.uk
stopthecutspetition
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
So excited that my paper 'Clean girls, tradwives, and stay-at-home girlfriends: the romanticisation of domestic labour on TikTok' has been accepted for the Console-ing Passions Conference 2025! See you in June Atlanta 🤟 fmt.gsu.edu/console-ing-...
fmt.gsu.edu
Console-ing Passions Conference 2025 | School of Film, Media & Theatre | Georgia State University
The Console-ing Passions 2025 conference is an international conference on television, video, audio, new media, and feminism.
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Link to our latest Technecast episode featuring guests studying PhDs in music from different genres and perspectives - plus some cracking song recommendations 😇 open.spotify.com/episode/3jQ1...
open.spotify.com
Women in Music Roundtable
Technecast · Episode
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Would highly recommend the Lives Less Ordinary exhibition currently on at Two Temple Place in London. The focus is on representing a rich tapestry of working-class life, challenging reductive stereotypes and prioritising nuance and diversity. It is also FREE ! And in the most stunning building.
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 04/03/2025
UK higher education faces an unprecedented crisis 🚨 With thousands of jobs at risk the UK govt must step in 👇
bbc.co.uk
Thousands more university jobs at risk, union warns
The University and College Union says 5,000 jobs are already being cut and the sector is
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Absolutely buzzing coming out of @drdeininger.bsky.social 's session on Academia and Class Barriers at the cross-DTP AHRC conference. Hearing her experiences of navigating academia from a working-class background was so bolstering, and the solidarity in the room was something really special. ✨️
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Really enjoying the first MeCCSA @meccsa.bsky.social Women's Network event of the year on networking - such a supportive space 💡✨️
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
For our latest episode of Technecast we put together a roundtable discussion on the theme of 'care' in academia - I share some thoughts on care as gendered labour and the role universities play in this open.spotify.com/episode/6xvD...
open.spotify.com
Technecast Cares: End of Year Roundtable
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
I am part of a team of PhD students who host and produce Technecast - a podcast showcasing academic research from across the arts and humanities. Below is our latest episode on approaches to interviewing ✨️😊 open.spotify.com/episode/7m42...
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European Journal of Cultural Studies @ejcs-journal.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Looking up #holiday recipes... or looking up cultural studies research on cooking, baking and gendered labor? 🤷‍♀️ You can find these articles by @isabel-sykes.bsky.social @emmahcasey.bsky.social Zeena Feldman, Francesca Sobande, Joanne Hollows in our online archive: buff.ly/3VsaYks
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
It's been a pleasure to work on the @sociologicalreview.bsky.social Connected Sociologies Curriculum Project as the Lesson Plan Coordinator this year. These are free, open access resources for students and teachers interested in decolonising curricula: thesociologicalreview.org/projects/con...
thesociologicalreview.org
Connected Sociologies
The Connected Sociologies Curriculum Project provides resources to support students and teachers interested in 'decolonising' curricula.
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Tom Divon | توم ديفون | תום דיבון @tomdivon.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
go.bsky.app/CgiYns4 Hey, FYP addicts! Join into this list if you’ve got your scholarly sights set on TikTok—or if you just want to keep tabs on those who do! 🔎✨
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
My university has announced plans to make significant cuts to academic and professional services staff, without meaningful consultation with the unions. Please consider supporting #BrunelFightsBack by signing UCU's open letter to oppose these redundancies: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
#BrunelFightsBack: a Call for Support
Dear Students, Alumni, Industry Partners, Local Businesses, Professional / Statutory / Regulatory Bodies, and all who support education, We reach out to you at a critical time. Brunel University is fa...
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Can't wait to read this!
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jess rauchberg @jessrauchberg.bsky.social · 30/11/2023
no bro you don't get it... that's my emotional support citation
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
My article 'From 'girlboss' to #stayathomegirlfriend: the romanticisation of domestic labour on TikTok' has recently been published in the European Journal of Cultural Studies. It's open access🌶️🌟
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Isabel Sykes @isabel-sykes.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Hello! I've just tootled over from academic Twitter. I'm a PhD student researching media representations and lived experiences of women's unpaid domestic labour. Recent publications include stuff about tradwives, TikTok, popular feminism, neoliberal work culture...all that good stuff.
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