Jenny van Hooff

I am a sociologist based in Manchester, UK, specialising in personal life and contemporary intimacies. My research explores the dynamics of couple relationships, love, commitment, infidelity, and break-ups across different stages of life. I’ve also examined the significance of friendships and the experiences of dating app users. My work challenges the tendency to overlook aspects of life deemed ordinary or unremarkable, advocating for a closer examination of relationships that might be viewed as predictable—such as long-term partnerships, friendships, and midlife intimacy.

I currently serve as a Reader in the Department of Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University, where I teach both undergraduate modules and supervise PhD students. Additionally, I co-direct the Contemporary Intimacies, Sexualities, and Genders (CISG) Research Group, an interdisciplinary network that investigates the evolving landscape of personal relationships and intimacies.