Charlotte Curle

Research Interests

My current PhD research is centred around the lived experiences of people who engage in pole dance/sport (polers) for leisure and work. My project aims to explore polers' experiences of engaging with the practice in physical and digital spaces, taking an intersectional approach. The project is partially inspired by my own experiences as a member at pole studios within Greater Manchester and using social media to share/engage with pole-related content.

My previous work has investigated gendered discourses within reality television and I have an interest in media and cultural studies and feminist theory more broadly. I am a community member with lived experience on Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Gender-Based Violence Board, which aims to address violence against women and girls within the region. I also have a personal blog entitled 'Pole, PTSD and Me', where I've written about a range of different social issues, including mental health, gender-based violence and sex workers' rights.