Dr Ruth Beresford BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Associate
Summary
I am a Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Associate in the Department of Psychology, Sociology & Politics. In my role, I support research projects from across the Department's disciplines, particularly in Sociology, Politics, Social Policy and Social Psychology.
I have been awarded the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Early Career and Innovation Fellowship for 2021/22 during which time I will be developing my research in the fields of sexual harassment; women’s sexualities and sexual lives; and qualitative and participatory research methodologies.
About
I joined Ï㽶ÊÓƵ as a Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Associate in December 2018. Prior to this I was studying full-time for my ESRC funded PhD which explored women's experiences of pornography using participatory research methods. I was awarded my PhD from the University of Sheffield in June 2020. I have an MA in Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Methods and a BA in History and Politics, both from the University of Sheffield.
My research interests include the sociological study of sex, sexuality and pornography. I am also interested in social research methods, and in particular the methods to have emerged from Feminist, Disability Studies and Participatory research paradigms.
I am currently conducting research into women’s lived experiences of pornography and their perspectives on how pornography should be covered in Sex and Relationship Education (SRE).
Publications
Journal articles
Furness, P., Shelton, T., Beresford, R., Lawson, K., Taylor, S., & Haywood-Small, S. (2023). . Journal of Pain Management, 15 (4).
Furness, P., Shelton, T., Beresford, R., Lawson, K., Taylor, S., & Haywood-Small, S. (2023). . Journal of Pain Management, 15 (4).
Hirst, J., Pickles, J., Kenny, M., Beresford, R., & Froggatt, C. (2022). . Culture, Health and Sexuality.
Reynolds, J., Ogden, M., & Beresford, R. (2021). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Involvement and Engagement, 7.
Reynolds, J., & Beresford, R. (2020). . Qualitative Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Reports
Jeffery, R., Beresford, R., Thomas, P., Etherington, D., & Jones, M. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Reynolds, J., Ogden, M., & Beresford, R. (2021). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Thomas, P., Etherington, D., Jeffery, R., Beresford, R., Beel, D., & Jones, M. (2020). . Sheffield TUC.
Internet Publications
Beresford, R., & Jeffery, R. (2024). .
Presentations
Jeffery, R., & Beresford, R. (2025). Explaining The Ubiquitous Harm of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Hospitality: Power Dynamics, Industry Level Characteristics, Deregulation and Prospects for Collective Organising. Presented at: Work and Equalities Institute 6th Fairness at Work Conference, University of Manchester
Jeffery, R., & Beresford, R. (2025). Ending Workplace Sexual Harassment. Presented at: End Not Defend: Campaign Launch, Palace of Westminster, London
Jeffery, R., & Beresford, R. (2024). The Pandemic of Sexual Harassment in Low Paid and Precarious Hospitality Work. Presented at: British Industrial Relations Association: Annual Conference, Queen Mary, University of London
Jeffery, R., & Beresford, R. (2024). Challenging Sexual Harassment in Hospitality: Report Launch. Presented at: Challenging Sexual Harassment in Hospitality: Public Launch, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Other activities
Conferences
I was awarded funding by the British Sociological Association (BSA) on two occasions to organise and host a conference:
Designing and Undertaking Participatory Ï㽶ÊÓƵ: Practical Issues, Successes and Challenges
BSA Early Career Forum Event, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 9th December 2020
https://es.britsoc.co.uk/designing-and-undertaking-participatory-research-a-review-of-the-bsa-ecf-event-on-participatory-research/
Sex in Society: Bringing Together Sociological Ï㽶ÊÓƵ on Sexual Culture, Sexual Practice and Sexual Consumption
BSA Regional Postgraduate Event, The University of Sheffield, 3rd March 2018
https://bsapgforum.wordpress.com/2019/03/04/my-top-tips-for-organising-a-bsa-pgforum-regional-event-ruth-beresford/
Recent Presentations
Sorry the Wi-Fi keeps cutting out! Finding new ways to connect with each other and do feminist and participatory research when working remotely.
Ruth Beresford
BSA Annual Conference, Online Conference, 14th April 2021
Precarity is the Pandemic: Sheffield, and the Predictable Consequences of a Lack of Bargaining Power.
Bob Jeffery, Peter Thomas and Ruth Beresford
BSA Annual Conference, Online Conference, 13th April 2021
Other Activities
Member of the UKRI ECR Forum
Postgraduate supervision
Chloe Froggatt: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Sexual Expression