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Staff Profile

Dr Emma Clavering

Lecturer in Social Anthropology

  • Address: HDB 4. 109
    GPS Sociology
    Newcastle University
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU
    United Kingdom
Background

Introduction

Following several years working as an ethnographer for PEALS Research Centre I joined Sociology, to take up a Teaching Fellowship in 2012. I am currently Lecturer in Social Anthropology. 

My main teaching focuses on new ideas in and challenges to anthropological thought, cross-cultural notions of everyday life practices relating to social inequality and health & wellbeing, consuming as a space for resistance, and reflexive qualitative methodologies.  

My research interests include developing ethnographic approaches to explore narratives of cultural and social identity, family, kinship and self, and notions of consumer culture related to health care settings and wider societal concerns. Current research is part of a wider commitment to recognising & utilising ethnographic approaches that engender inclusive learning environments conducive to co-production of knowledge.

I have lived in the North East of England most of my life, and have been very fortunate to be able to continue my academic connection with Newcastle University from my time as an undergraduate, which included a period of study in Calgary, Canada.


Roles and Responsibilities in Sociology:

Senior Tutor

Student Staff Committee Facilitator

Peer Mentor Academic Co-ordinator

Combined Honours Subject Advisor (Sociology)

 

Qualifications

Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice LTES (2014); DTS (2015); APP (2017) Newcastle University

Ph.D. Newcastle University, December 2004

‘Singled Out? An Ethnographic Study of Lone Parents’ Consumer Strategies in East End Newcastle.’ Lead supervisor: Prof Peter Phillimore. ESRC Funded.


Memberships

European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA)

Higher Education Academy Fellow

Teaching

Current Teaching

Undergraduate:

SOC1034 Investigating Inequalities & Crime (Module Leader)

SOC1030 Sociological Imagination (joint lecturer)

SOC2027/SOC3027 Being Human (joint lecturer)

SOC2070 This is how we do it (Lead Lecturer on Block: Ethnographic Approaches)

SOC2067 Consumer Cultures, and SOC2058 Understanding Social Change and Transformation (Module Leader) 2018-24 (Not currently running)

 

Postgraduate:

HSS8004 Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Ethnographic Traditions

SOC8038 Embodied Health (Module Leader) 2019-20 (Not currently running).


 

Research

Research Interests:

Understandings of new medicine and technology in everyday worlds;

Experiences and perspectives of medically othered children and their families;

Critical engagements with professional cultures (health and social care);

Processes of social and cultural marginalisation;

Ethnographic and ethical research practices.

Other Expertise:

I have over 7 years' experience working in sensitive areas of health-related research exploring socio-cultural understandings of health and wellbeing.

My research skills include in-depth ethnographic interviewing, observational work in formal settings such as medical consultations and informal settings such as home and community, and working with children and young adults.

Involved in organising dissemination outputs which engage with a range of audiences.

Recent Research:

Kinship & Genetic Journeys: A Study of Families Who Are Referred to Paediatric Genetics (PI Professor Janice McLaughlin. ESRC Funded)

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/peals/research/project/2745

Postgraduate Supervision:

Co-supervisor (50%) with Dr Ruth Graham (lead)

Suzanne Butler 'Poverty in Motion: Women’s Life Course Narratives, Emotion and Agency.' Funded by ESRC. Doctorate Awarded 2025

Co-supervisor, along with Dr Janice McLaughlin (lead), Dr Tracy Finch, and Prof Sir John Burn:

Lorraine Cowley, 'Living with Hereditary non Polyposis Colon Cancer.' Funded by Cancer Research UK. - Doctorate Awarded 2012

Publications