Personal profile
Research Interests
My research focuses on norms, emotions and long-term social change, with an emphasis on gender, reproduction and family life. I have worked specifically on the social politics of abortion and motherhood. I am currently developing a monograph on Ireland's moral revolution. My previous book, The Demands of Motherhood: Agents, Roles and Recognition (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012), returns to neglected sociological questions concerning the connections between agency and normative complexity, through the neo-pragmatist interpretation it offers of this contested and emotionally fraught role.
Abortion and Nation: The Politics of Reproduction in Contemporary Ireland (Ashgate 2005, Routledge 2016), analysed the changing gendered politics of nationhood over three decades of intense moral conflict.
I am interested in supervising PhD work on normative conflicts and change in relation to moral politics and family life.
Teaching
Sociological Imagination (Level 1)
Norms and Social Change (Level 3 option)
Inequality and Emotions (Masters)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 5 Gender Equality
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
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The Demands of Motherhood: Agents, Roles and Recognition
Smyth, L., 2012, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. 178 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book
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Abortion and nation: the politics of reproduction in contemporary Ireland
Smyth, L., 28 Feb 2005, London: Routledge. 200 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book
14 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Non-sectarian Mothering in Belfast: the emotional quality of normative change
Smyth, L., 10 Nov 2014, The ‘Irish’ Family. Connolly, L. (ed.). London: Routledge, p. 106-124 19 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Rethinking Social Roles: Conflict and Modern Life
Smyth, L., 01 Dec 2021, In: SOCIOLOGY-THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 55, 6, p. 1211 –1227 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)232 Downloads (Pure) -
Northern Ireland After Repeal the Eighth: Democratic Challenges
Smyth, L., 15 Jan 2020, After Repeal: Rethinking Abortion Politics. Browne, K. & Calkin, S. (eds.). London: Zed Books, p. 239-254 15 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
Open AccessFile131 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Faculty Research Initiatives Fund Award
Smyth, L. (Recipient), Fischer, C. (Recipient) & Cullen, N. (Recipient), 09 Jun 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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QUB: Seeds Fund- Covid -19 - QUB SSESW
Degenhardt, T. (Recipient), Smyth, L. (Recipient) & Carabelli, G. (Recipient), 01 Jun 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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A Question of Life: Human Dignity, Reproductive Rights, and Abortion Politics
Smyth, L. (Invited speaker)
10 Dec 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
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Unpaid Care Work and Gender Equality after COVID-19
Smyth, L. (Invited speaker)
25 Nov 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Ireland's Moral Revolution: Critical Events and Collective Emotions
Smyth, L. (Presenter)
02 Sept 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
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Podcast-21st Century Body Politics, CCIR Think Tank
Smyth, L. (Interviewee)
10 Jun 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Gender-based COVID-19 Recovery: What Policy Change is Needed to Support Women in the Labour Market?
Smyth, L. (Invited speaker)
25 Nov 2021Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
Press/Media
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‘Forgotten’ and unsupported: the experiences of informal carers in Northern Ireland during COVID-19
23/11/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Solidarity and Marginality: Family care in a pandemic
23/03/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Understanding the transformed moral landscape in Ireland following the ‘repeal the 8th’ referendum
29/05/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Outraged about Alabama? The abortion law is even stricter in Northern Ireland
22/06/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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