Charlie Roberts

Project description

My doctoral research seeks to re-theorise the relationship between sexuality and platform capitalism in relation to the OnlyFans platform.

To do this, I argue that we need to return to the work of Michel Foucault – particularly his work on biopolitics and neo-liberalism – to reposition the sexual subject within the networked economy.

Through the analysis of the Companies House financial statements from OnlyFans, its platform architectures and governing procedures, and content produced by heterosexual men who have content with other men, I argue that critical sexuality studies should pay attention to the platformed sexual subject as an entrepreneurial neo-liberal homo œconomicus.

By observing the economic, technological, and pornographic affordances of the OnlyFans platform through ‘becoming content creator’, I work toward a post-sexual theorisation that reconceptualises our notions of sex and the pornographic within the relation between sexuality and platform capitalism. 

Research interests

My research interests are situated around sexuality, masculinity, pornography, technoscience, platform cultures, and the body. I am interested in how platform and network economies shape pornographic subjects in relation to neo-liberalism. Theoretically I work with Foucauldian philosophy – and its intersections with queer theory, feminist theory, and feminist technoscience – to understand how bodies, platforms, and algorithms negotiate the sexual. I am passionate about thinking through ethical and methodological problems from a queer perspective to uncover lived experiences of sex and pleasure as valid forms of human interaction that shape life narratives. Overall, my research strives to destigmatise sexual and pornographic labour, consumption, and self-representation.

At present, I am working as a Research Assistant on the Chemsex in Newcastle Project funded by Newcastle City Council. Using a mixed-method (quant/qual) approach, the project aims to further understanding around the experiences of chemsex in Newcastle, polydrug use, chemsex spaces and places, and harm reduction. The findings from this project will inform harm reduction resources and local services of ways in which support around chemsex could be improved in the city. 

Personal interests

Outside of academia, I enjoy attending local, national, and international live music gigs and festivals. I am a fan of many genres of music – post-punk being my favourite! – and own a vast record collection.

If not at gigs, I can usually be found socialising with my friends at the pub.

Presentations

18 – 19 June 2025 BCMCR Transgressive Identities and Subjectivities: ‘Heterosexual masculinities, transgressive potentialities, and the promotion of OnlyFans group sex content’, Birmingham City University (paper presented)

11 October 2024 PGR Sex Work Network: ‘More over on my OnlyFans: hetero-masculine content creation, promotion, and innovation on X’, University of Leeds (paper presented)

Teaching

• MCH1025 – Critical Skills ‘Social Media and the Self’ 
• MCH1027 – Social and Cultural Studies
• POL1032 – Key Concepts in International Politics 
• POL1046 – Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century  

Contact Charlie

Email: c.roberts1@newcastle.ac.uk 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/charlierobertspgr/