Emma Whatman

(She/Her)

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Dr Emma Whatman (she/her) is an early career researcher and Senior Tutor in Media and Communications at the University of Melbourne. Emma's scholarly background is in feminist media studies, contemporary children's literature and culture, and cultural studies. Her research focuses on postfeminism, contemporary feminism, feminist history, young people, and sex education.

Emma completed her PhD in 2019, winning the Alfred Deakin Medal for best university thesis. Through analysis of cultural texts, her thesis argued that postfeminism and neoliberal feminism are the primary modes of feminism introduced to young people. This research is the basis of her first monograph, currently under contract with Wayne State University Press (2026). She is interested in contemporary feminist discourses, particularly online and in relation to young people. She is the co-editor of the 2025 book, Taylor Swift: Culture, Capital, and Critique.

Experience

  • 2025–present
    Senior Tutor in Media and Communications, University of Melbourne
  • 2013–2025
    Casual Academic in Writing, Literature & Culture, Deakin University
  • 2023–2024
    Lecturer in Gender Studies, University of Melbourne
  • 2021–2022
    Associate Lecturer in Writing Literature & Culture, Deakin University

Education

  • 2019 
    Deakin University, PhD
  • 2012 
    Deakin University , Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Women and Gender Studies Association (AWGSA)
  • Australasian Children's Literature Research Association (ACLAR)

Contact Emma for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Research collaboration