Jones
professor jones is director of the pan-university institute for communities and society. meredith is a transdisciplinary scholar who works at the intersections of feminist theories of the body with media, gender, and cultural studies. she is particularly interested in popular culture, visuality, and embodiment, and has published widely in these areas. her latest edited volume, performing the penis: phalluses in 21st century cultures (with evelyn callahan) comprehensively introduces the emerging discipline of penis studies. she is currently working on a monograph about vulvas and on a yearbook about genital transformations in media and culture. beautyscapes: mapping cosmetic surgery tourism (written with ruth holliday and david bell) won the 2020 foundation for sociology of health and illness prize. this book is based on extensive fieldwork carried out in thailand, malaysia, south korea, tunisia, spain, and czech republic. it also comprises digital research into cosmetic surgery websites and cosmetic surgery communities on social media. skintight: an anatomy of cosmetic surgery, meredith's first monograph, is a widely-cited foundational text in studies of makeover culture, cosmetic surgery and feminist theories of the body. her other books include a major collection of feminist writing about cosmetic surgery that she co-edited with philosopher cressida heyes, cosmetic surgery: a feminist primer. she often speaks publicly about social media, popular culture and feminism, and is an expert on the socio-cultural aspects of the kardashians. she hosted a scholarly kimposium! in 2015 and kimposium! the sequel was held in september 2021. meredith is active in the creative industries and founded the trunk series of books with artist and designer suzanne boccalatte, which includes curated collections of artworks and essays about hair and blood. currently she is collaborating with taylor & francis group to deliver a series of projects around new and innovative modes of publishing. the goal is to develop more digitally relevant, flexible, inclusive and faster ways of publishing for academics as well as community, industry, and ngo groups. qualifications phd in cultural studies, university of western sydney, 2006 ba hons. in women's studies, 1st class, university of sydney, 1998 meredith's work is in the broad fields of feminist theory, cultural studies, gender studies, and cultural sociology. she has researched and written about cosmetic surgery and other body modifications for more than two decades. her book skintight: an anatomy of cosmetic surgery is a key text in feminist thinking about makeover culture, bodies, and media. in sun, sea, sand and silicone, an international esrc funded research project that explored the phenomenon of cosmetic surgery tourism, meredith and a team of academics from australia and the uk followed people from the uk, australia and china who went to thailand, malaysia, tunisia and south korea seeking cosmetic surgery. the book based on this project, beautyscapes: mapping cosmetic surgery tourism, won the 2020 foundation for sociology of health and illness prize. meredith is the editor of the routledge series gender, bodies and transformation. she welcomes proposals for the series. animal/human studies, body modifications, especially cosmetic and plastic surgery, cultural studies, digital studies, embodiment, fashion theory, feminist theories of the body, gender studies, media studies, popular culture, trans studies, visual studies
![Professor Meredith Jones]()
Professor Meredith Jones
Professor Jones is Director of the pan-university Institute for Communities and Society. Meredith is a transdisciplinary scholar who works at the intersections of feminist theories of the body with media, gender, and cultural studies. She is particularly interested in popular culture, visuality, and embodiment, and has published widely in these areas. Her latest edited volume, Performing the Penis: Phalluses in 21st Century Cultures (with Evelyn Callahan) comprehensively introduces the emerging discipline of Penis Studies. She is currently working on a monograph about vulvas and on a yearbook about genital transformations in media and culture. Beautyscapes: Mapping Cosmetic Surgery Tourism (written with Ruth Holliday and David Bell) won the 2020 Foundation for Sociology of Health and Illness Prize. This book is based on extensive fieldwork carried out in Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Tunisia, Spain, and Czech Republic. It also comprises digital research into cosmetic surgery websites and cosmetic surgery communities on social media. Skintight: An Anatomy of Cosmetic Surgery, Meredith's first monograph, is a widely-cited foundational text in studies of makeover culture, cosmetic surgery and feminist theories of the body. Her other books include a major collection of feminist writing about cosmetic surgery that she co-edited with philosopher Cressida Heyes, Cosmetic Surgery: A Feminist Primer. She often speaks publicly about social media, popular culture and feminism, and is an expert on the socio-cultural aspects of the Kardashians. She hosted a scholarly Kimposium! in 2015 and Kimposium! The Sequel was held in September 2021. Meredith is active in the creative industries and founded the Trunk series of books with artist and designer Suzanne Boccalatte, which includes curated collections of artworks and essays about Hair and Blood. Currently she is collaborating with Taylor & Francis Group to deliver a series of projects around new and innovative modes of publishing. The goal is to develop more digitally relevant, flexible, inclusive and faster ways of publishing for academics as well as community, industry, and NGO groups. Qualifications PhD in Cultural Studies, University of Western Sydney, 2006 BA Hons. in Women's Studies, 1st Class, University of Sydney, 1998 Meredith's work is in the broad fields of Feminist Theory, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Sociology. She has researched and written about cosmetic surgery and other body modifications for more than two decades. Her book Skintight: An Anatomy of Cosmetic Surgery is a key text in feminist thinking about makeover culture, bodies, and media. In Sun, Sea, Sand and Silicone, an international ESRC funded research project that explored the phenomenon of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism, Meredith and a team of academics from Australia and the UK followed people from the UK, Australia and China who went to Thailand, Malaysia, Tunisia and South Korea seeking cosmetic surgery. The book based on this project, Beautyscapes: Mapping Cosmetic Surgery Tourism, won the 2020 Foundation for Sociology of Health and Illness Prize. Meredith is the editor of the Routledge series Gender, Bodies and Transformation. She welcomes proposals for the series. Animal/Human Studies, Body Modifications, especially Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Cultural Studies, Digital Studies, Embodiment, Fashion Theory, Feminist Theories of the Body, Gender Studies, Media Studies, Popular Culture, Trans Studies, Visual Studies
Lockyer
sharon lockyer is a reader in sociology and communications with an international research track-record in mediated culture, critical comedy studies, and mixed-methods research. she is founding director of the centre for comedy studies research (ccsr) - the first, and only, international and interdisciplinary research centre devoted to the academic study of comedy. sharon has worked on externally funded projects involving multiple stakeholders and is skilled in leading public engagement and impact activities involving diverse audiences, which utilise her extensive academic, industry, and public contacts. she has researched and taught at other institutions including loughborough university and de montfort university, and has been a visiting professor at dunarea de jos university of galati. before becoming an academic sharon worked in the cultural industries. sharon’s research interests fall within the broad areas of mediated culture, critical comedy studies and media controversies. she has written extensively on the ethics and aesthetics of live and mediated comedy in relation to class, gender and disability. she is particularly interested in instances of popular humour and comedy that excite social tension and moral controversy. her co-edited book (with professor michael pickering) beyond a joke: the limits of humour and journal article in sociology compass (with michael pickering) are key texts in critical comedy studies. she is also interested in methodological issues and debates in humour and comedy studies. critical comedy studies equality and diversity in the cultural and creative industries media controversies media disability studies undergraduate programmes communication and media studies bsc sociology bsc sociology (media) bsc module convenor comedy, the media and society (level 6) module contributor key ideas in media (level 4) sociology and communications dissertations (level 6) work placements (levels 4 and 5) postgraduate programmes media and communications msc module convenor issues and controversies in media and communications (level 7) module contributor media and communications dissertation (level 7)
![Dr Sharon Lockyer]()
Dr Sharon Lockyer
Sharon Lockyer is a Reader in Sociology and Communications with an international research track-record in mediated culture, critical comedy studies, and mixed-methods research. She is founding director of the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) - the first, and only, international and interdisciplinary research centre devoted to the academic study of comedy. Sharon has worked on externally funded projects involving multiple stakeholders and is skilled in leading public engagement and impact activities involving diverse audiences, which utilise her extensive academic, industry, and public contacts. She has researched and taught at other institutions including Loughborough University and De Montfort University, and has been a Visiting Professor at Dunarea de Jos University of Galati. Before becoming an academic Sharon worked in the cultural industries. Sharon’s research interests fall within the broad areas of mediated culture, critical comedy studies and media controversies. She has written extensively on the ethics and aesthetics of live and mediated comedy in relation to class, gender and disability. She is particularly interested in instances of popular humour and comedy that excite social tension and moral controversy. Her co-edited book (with Professor Michael Pickering) Beyond a Joke: The Limits of Humour and journal article in Sociology Compass (with Michael Pickering) are key texts in critical comedy studies. She is also interested in methodological issues and debates in humour and comedy studies. Critical comedy studies Equality and diversity in the cultural and creative industries Media controversies Media disability studies Undergraduate Programmes Communication and Media Studies BSc Sociology BSc Sociology (Media) BSc Module convenor Comedy, the Media and Society (Level 6) Module contributor Key Ideas in Media (Level 4) Sociology and Communications Dissertations (Level 6) Work Placements (Levels 4 and 5) Postgraduate Programmes Media and Communications MSc Module convenor Issues and Controversies in Media and Communications (Level 7) Module contributor Media and Communications Dissertation (Level 7)
Malik
sarita malik has been professor of media and culture in the division of sociology and communications since 2016. her research examines issues of inequality and culture (representation, production and participation) in shifting sociopolitical, cultural and technological contexts. since the 1990s, sarita's work has made a major contribution to how 'diversity', social justice and the role of arts and culture are understood through policy and practice, most notably in the creative industries. publications have spanned topics including 'race', representation and diversity in film, public service broadcasting and the cultural industries, creative activisms, racialised terminology in organisational cultures, and she has produced a range of writings on culture and inequality more widely. sarita is a member of the ahrc peer review college and in 2022, was appointed to the department of digital, culture, media & sport (dcms) college of experts. sarita is a member of creative uk's equality, diversity and inclusion group, and the recipient of the british association of film, television and screen studies 2024 outstanding achievement award. sarita was a member of sub-panel 34 (communication, cultural and media studies, library and information management) for the 2021 research excellence framework (ref2021) exercise. as a former curator and public arts programmer, broadcast journalist and professional research bid writer, sarita's research is built on knowledge exchange with a variety of stakeholder groups, community, professional and public, often drawing on collaborative, interdisciplinary and participative research methodologies. since 2011, sarita has been the principal investigator on four connected communities ukri/arts and humanities research council projects, including a multi-stakeholder study of community filmmaking and cultural diversity and a collaborative project with the british film institute exploring diasporic cinema. between 2014 and 2020, sarita generated and led a major ahrc-funded international consortia project about the relationship between culture, creativity and resistance in mainland uk, palestine, northern ireland and india . her latest ahrc project (2021-24) is a collaboration with the guardian and british film institute, and is a longitudinal study of the screen sector where racial inequality remains a policy challenge. sarita's research has been disseminated widely in a range of outlets including the guardian, washington post, cosmopolitan, the conversation, arts professional, sight and sound, black film bulletin, channel 4, the bbc and sky television. example project: principal investigator on a large, international consortia project funded by the uk government’s arts and humanities research council examining how disenfranchised communities use the arts, media and creativity to challenge marginalisation in mainland uk, northern ireland, palestine and india. motivated by a concern to listen to largely unheard stories, this co-created project engages with past and emergent grassrooots art work that has responded to forms of social exclusion. creative interruptions brings together diverse practitioners, artists, activists, academics and non-university based collaborators to build a space where creative practices as well as theoretical, cultural and policy perspectives converge. art is used as a forum to exchange knowledge about these experiences and research across divides. creative industries and social inequality; diversity, equity and inclusion in the creative industries; communities and creative practices; historical and contemporary approaches to diversity in the creative industries; public service broadcasting and cultural representation; cultural policy; co-production; lived experience and global challenges. sarita's convenes and teaches across a range of ug and pg modules in sociology and media and communication studies. her teaching specialism spans cultural theory, media studies, sociology and screen studies. 2024/25: module convenor: co2606; media genres module convenor: co5604; media production as activism module convenor: co5610; reporting social justice module convenor: co3608; media and social justice
![Professor Sarita Malik]()
Professor Sarita Malik
Sarita Malik has been Professor of Media and Culture in the Division of Sociology and Communications since 2016. Her research examines issues of inequality and culture (representation, production and participation) in shifting sociopolitical, cultural and technological contexts. Since the 1990s, Sarita's work has made a major contribution to how 'diversity', social justice and the role of arts and culture are understood through policy and practice, most notably in the Creative Industries. Publications have spanned topics including 'race', representation and diversity in film, public service broadcasting and the cultural industries, creative activisms, racialised terminology in organisational cultures, and she has produced a range of writings on culture and inequality more widely. Sarita is a Member of the AHRC Peer Review College and in 2022, was appointed to The Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) College of Experts. Sarita is a Member of Creative UK's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, and the recipient of the British Association of Film, Television and Screen Studies 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award. Sarita was a Member of Sub-Panel 34 (Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management) for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) exercise. As a former curator and public arts programmer, broadcast journalist and professional research bid writer, Sarita's research is built on knowledge exchange with a variety of stakeholder groups, community, professional and public, often drawing on collaborative, interdisciplinary and participative research methodologies. Since 2011, Sarita has been the Principal Investigator on four Connected Communities UKRI/Arts and Humanities Research Council projects, including a multi-stakeholder study of community filmmaking and cultural diversity and a collaborative project with the British Film Institute exploring diasporic cinema. Between 2014 and 2020, Sarita generated and led a major AHRC-funded international consortia project about the relationship between culture, creativity and resistance in mainland UK, Palestine, Northern Ireland and India . Her latest AHRC project (2021-24) is a collaboration with the Guardian and British Film Institute, and is a longitudinal study of the screen sector where racial inequality remains a policy challenge. Sarita's research has been disseminated widely in a range of outlets including the Guardian, Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, The Conversation, Arts Professional, Sight and Sound, Black Film Bulletin, Channel 4, the BBC and Sky Television. Example project: Principal Investigator on a large, international consortia project funded by the UK government’s Arts and Humanities Research Council examining how disenfranchised communities use the arts, media and creativity to challenge marginalisation in mainland UK, Northern Ireland, Palestine and India. Motivated by a concern to listen to largely unheard stories, this co-created project engages with past and emergent grassrooots art work that has responded to forms of social exclusion. Creative Interruptions brings together diverse practitioners, artists, activists, academics and non-University based collaborators to build a space where creative practices as well as theoretical, cultural and policy perspectives converge. Art is used as a forum to exchange knowledge about these experiences and research across divides. Creative industries and Social Inequality; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Creative Industries; Communities and Creative Practices; Historical and Contemporary Approaches to Diversity in the Creative Industries; Public Service Broadcasting and Cultural Representation; Cultural policy; Co-production; Lived Experience and Global Challenges. Sarita's convenes and teaches across a range of UG and PG modules in Sociology and Media and Communication Studies. Her teaching specialism spans cultural theory, media studies, sociology and screen studies. 2024/25: Module Convenor: CO2606; Media Genres Module Convenor: CO5604; Media Production as Activism Module Convenor: CO5610; Reporting Social Justice Module Convenor: CO3608; Media and Social Justice
Weaver
simon is a reader in media and communications at brunel university london. he is an internationally recognised expert on humour and comedy, whose research has provided a foundational critique of racist and offensive humour, and significantly reshaped understandings of the links between populism and comedy. simon is a founding member of the centre for comedy studies research (ccsr) at brunel university london. simon completed his phd in the department of sociology, university of bristol, with a thesis entitled humour, rhetoric and racism: a sociological critique of racist humour. that thesis formed the basis of his first book, the rhetoric of racist humour: us, uk and global race joking, which was published by ashgate in september 2011. his first journal article (the ‘other’ laughs back: humour and resistance in anti-racist comedy, sociology 2010 44.1: 31-48), won the british sociological association’s ‘sage prize for innovation and/or excellence 2011’. between his phd and arriving at brunel in 2012, simon worked as a research associate in department of health sciences, university of leicester and held an esrc postdoctoral research fellowship in communications and media studies, department of social sciences, loughborough university. qualifications: phd sociology (bristol) msc sociology (bristol) ba history and sociology (uwe) simon’s research interests focus on a number of overlapping areas in sociology, communications and media studies. these are social and cultural theory, the work of zygmunt bauman, semiotics, representations of disability and ‘deformity’ in media, racist and offensive humour, humour and rhetoric, and the sociology of race, ethnicity and racism. most recently, simon has been researching comedy about brexit, the relationship between comedy and populism, and the ironies and ambiguities of brexit discourse. this forms the subject of his latest book, the rhetoric of brexit humour: comedy, populism and the eu referendum (routledge, 2021). racist & offensive humour, humour & rhetoric; comedy, populism and brexit; social & cultural theory, the work of zygmunt bauman, semiotics; sociology of race, ethnicity & racism; representations of disability and 'deformity' in media. undergraduate teaching module convenor me, you or us? analysing identity and power (yr 1) module contributor comedy, the media and society (yr 3) postgraduate teaching module convenor media as power analysing the media dissertation in media and communications political comedy and satire module contributor digital media career development
![Dr Simon Weaver]()
Dr Simon Weaver
Simon is a Reader in Media and Communications at Brunel University London. He is an internationally recognised expert on humour and comedy, whose research has provided a foundational critique of racist and offensive humour, and significantly reshaped understandings of the links between populism and comedy. Simon is a founding member of the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) at Brunel University London. Simon completed his PhD in the Department of Sociology, University of Bristol, with a thesis entitled Humour, Rhetoric and Racism: A Sociological Critique of Racist Humour. That thesis formed the basis of his first book, The Rhetoric of Racist Humour: US, UK and Global Race Joking, which was published by Ashgate in September 2011. His first journal article (The ‘Other’ Laughs Back: Humour and Resistance in Anti-Racist Comedy, Sociology 2010 44.1: 31-48), won the British Sociological Association’s ‘Sage Prize for Innovation and/or Excellence 2011’. Between his PhD and arriving at Brunel in 2012, Simon worked as a Research Associate in Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester and held an ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Communications and Media Studies, Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University. Qualifications: PhD Sociology (Bristol) MSc Sociology (Bristol) BA History and Sociology (UWE) Simon’s research interests focus on a number of overlapping areas in sociology, communications and media studies. These are social and cultural theory, the work of Zygmunt Bauman, semiotics, representations of disability and ‘deformity’ in media, racist and offensive humour, humour and rhetoric, and the sociology of race, ethnicity and racism. Most recently, Simon has been researching comedy about Brexit, the relationship between comedy and populism, and the ironies and ambiguities of Brexit discourse. This forms the subject of his latest book, The Rhetoric of Brexit Humour: Comedy, Populism and the EU Referendum (Routledge, 2021). Racist & offensive humour, humour & rhetoric; Comedy, populism and Brexit; Social & cultural theory, the work of Zygmunt Bauman, semiotics; Sociology of race, ethnicity & racism; Representations of disability and 'deformity' in media. Undergraduate Teaching Module convenor Me, You or Us? Analysing Identity and Power (Yr 1) Module contributor Comedy, the Media and Society (Yr 3) Postgraduate Teaching Module convenor Media as Power Analysing the Media Dissertation in Media and Communications Political Comedy and Satire Module contributor Digital Media Career Development
Wilkin
i studied at southampton university (1987-2004) before taking up my first post at lancaster university in the department of politics and international relations. i moved to brunel in august 2005. qualifications: phd politics and ir (southampton) current research articles watch your step: world-systems analysis as critical social science - under review journal of world-systems research. how to enjoy a free lunch: the student debt crisis – to be submitted to critical sociology 2025. the mask has slipped: the (geo) culture wars and the war for civilization - to be submitted to the journal of world-systems research, december 2024. murder incorporated: debt and mass killing in sub-saharan africa - to be submitted to third world quarterly 2025. books till debt us do part: the student debt crisis and the new anti-enlightenment in the uk and the usa, bloomsbury press, 2027. murder incorporated: the west’s war against the third world, forthcoming 2027. i have published articles in major academic journals (and monographs) in the following subject areas: political economy and globalisation world-systems analysis security and development philosophy of social science anarchist social thought media, social change and democracy hungary in the modern world-system critical realism social movements and protests design practices and everyday life the work of noam chomsky popular culture and social criticism module convenor so100a global sociology co2030 global communication: the digital revolution so3613 lawyers, guns and money: building the modern world-system
![Dr Peter Wilkin]()
Dr Peter Wilkin
I studied at Southampton University (1987-2004) before taking up my first post at Lancaster University in the Department of Politics and International Relations. I moved to Brunel in August 2005. Qualifications: Phd Politics and IR (Southampton) Current Research Articles Watch your Step: World-Systems Analysis as Critical Social Science - under review Journal of World-Systems Research. How to enjoy a Free Lunch: The Student debt crisis – to be submitted to Critical Sociology 2025. The Mask has Slipped: The (Geo) culture wars and the war for civilization - to be submitted to the Journal of World-Systems Research, December 2024. Murder Incorporated: Debt and mass killing in sub-Saharan Africa - to be submitted to Third World Quarterly 2025. Books Till Debt us do part: The Student debt crisis and the new anti-Enlightenment in the UK and the USA, Bloomsbury Press, 2027. Murder Incorporated: The West’s War against the Third World, Forthcoming 2027. I have published articles in major academic journals (and monographs) in the following subject areas: Political economy and Globalisation World-Systems Analysis Security and Development Philosophy of social science Anarchist social thought Media, social change and democracy Hungary in the Modern World-System Critical Realism Social movements and protests Design practices and everyday life The work of Noam Chomsky Popular Culture and social criticism Module Convenor SO100A Global Sociology CO2030 Global Communication: The Digital Revolution SO3613 Lawyers, Guns and Money: Building the Modern World-System
Hunt
leon is a senior lecturer in film and tv studies. his teaching and research interests include hong kong cinema, popular east asian cinema, cult film and tv, horror, tv comedy and british film and television. he has published widely in these areas. british low culture: from safari suits to sexploitation (routledge 1998) explores some of the ‘forgotten’ areas of british popular culture (sexploitation films, youth cult novels, ‘low’ comedy), offers an alternative cultural history of the 1970s and engages with issues of taste and popularity. kung fu cult masters: from bruce lee to crouching tiger (wallflower press 2003) was the first english-language book-length academic study of chinese martial arts cinema and its impact on global media, including the transnational stardom of bruce lee and jet li, the migration of hong kong film-making talent and aesthetics to hollywood and the remediation of martial arts cinema through videogames and modern special effects technologies. the book was translated into chinese and reprinted by peking university press in 2011. east asian cinemas: exploring transnational connections on film (co-edited with leung wing fai, i.b. tauris 2008) looks at the global impact of popular east asian cinemas, and my own essay in the collection examines the way western filmmakers like quentin tarantino and luc besson have absorbed influences from asian action genres. the league of gentlemen (bfi/palgrave 2008) is a monograph in the bfi’s ‘tv classics’ series. my current book cult british tv comedy (manchester university press, forthcoming 2013) expands my research into the cult/post-alternative tv comedy of the last twenty years and includes case studies of vic reeves and sitcom writer graham linehan as well as exploring ‘dark’ and ‘cringe’ comedy and looking at issues of taste and offence. leon is also currently co-editing (with sharon lockyer and milly williamson) screening the undead: vampires and zombies in film and television (i.b. tauris forthcoming 2013.) leon hunt is a senior lecturer in film and tv studies. modules taught include british film and television, hong kong cinema and the horror film. research interests include hong kong cinema, martial arts films, horror, british cinema, and cult tv. hong kong cinema martial arts films horror british cinema cult tv
![Dr Leon Hunt]()
Dr Leon Hunt
Leon is a Senior Lecturer in Film and TV Studies. His teaching and research interests include Hong Kong cinema, popular East Asian cinema, Cult Film and TV, Horror, TV Comedy and British Film and Television. He has published widely in these areas. British Low Culture: From Safari Suits to Sexploitation (Routledge 1998) explores some of the ‘forgotten’ areas of British popular culture (sexploitation films, youth cult novels, ‘low’ comedy), offers an alternative cultural history of the 1970s and engages with issues of taste and popularity. Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger (Wallflower Press 2003) was the first English-language book-length academic study of Chinese martial arts cinema and its impact on global media, including the transnational stardom of Bruce Lee and Jet Li, the migration of Hong Kong film-making talent and aesthetics to Hollywood and the remediation of martial arts cinema through videogames and modern special effects technologies. The book was translated into Chinese and reprinted by Peking University Press in 2011. East Asian Cinemas: Exploring Transnational Connections on Film (co-edited with Leung Wing Fai, I.B. Tauris 2008) looks at the global impact of popular East Asian cinemas, and my own essay in the collection examines the way western filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Luc Besson have absorbed influences from Asian action genres. The League of Gentlemen (BFI/Palgrave 2008) is a monograph in the BFI’s ‘TV Classics’ series. My current book Cult British TV Comedy (Manchester University Press, forthcoming 2013) expands my research into the cult/post-alternative TV comedy of the last twenty years and includes case studies of Vic Reeves and sitcom writer Graham Linehan as well as exploring ‘dark’ and ‘cringe’ comedy and looking at issues of taste and offence. Leon is also currently co-editing (with Sharon Lockyer and Milly Williamson) Screening the Undead: Vampires and Zombies in Film and Television (I.B. Tauris forthcoming 2013.) Leon Hunt is a Senior Lecturer in Film and TV Studies. Modules taught include British Film and Television, Hong Kong Cinema and The Horror Film. Research interests include Hong Kong Cinema, Martial Arts Films, Horror, British Cinema, and Cult TV. Hong Kong Cinema Martial Arts Films Horror British Cinema Cult TV