Metadata
Title
Lisa Smyth
Category
undergraduate
UUID
b901552a68a24972a78ff7b421a9f899
Source URL
https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/
Parent URL
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/anthropology-sociology-ba/
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T19:00:47+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# Lisa Smyth

**Source**: https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/
**Parent**: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/anthropology-sociology-ba/

[View Scopus Profile](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=14043845900)

# Lisa Smyth

Professor

- Professor, [School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/organisations/school-of-social-sciences-education-and-social-work/)

[https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7082-8960](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7082-8960 "Orcid")

- Phone+44 (0)28 9097 3251
- Email[l.smyth@qub.ac.uk](#)

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

1. Gendered social roles, particularly in relation to family life and care;\
2. Social politics, particularly focusing on abortion, human reproduction and motherhood; \
3. Emotions and social change.\
5. Social change in Ireland.

1998 …Research output 2002: 1Research output 2003: 1Research output 2004: 1Research output 2005: 1Research output 2006: 2Research output 2008: 3Research output 2009: 2Research output 2010: 1Research output 2012: 7Research output 2013: 1Research output 2014: 1Research output 2015: 2Research output 2016: 2Research output 2017: 2Research output 2018: 1Research output 2019: 1Research output 2020: 6Research output 2021: 3Research output 2022: 1Research output 2023: 1Research output 2025: 22025

Research activity per year

## 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)](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

1. SDG 5
   Gender Equality

## Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Lisa Smyth is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

- [3](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/similar/)
  Similar Profiles

- UK
  Social Sciences
- Ireland
  Social Sciences
- Paper
  Social Sciences
- Politics
  Social Sciences
- Family
  Social Sciences
- Motherhood
  Social Sciences
- Normativity
  Social Sciences
- Belfast
  Social Sciences

[View full fingerprint](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/fingerprints/)

## Research output

- [8](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontobookanthology%2Fpeerreviewedchapter)
  Chapter (peer-reviewed)
- [8](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Farticle)
  Article
- [2](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fothercontribution%2Fother)
  Other contribution
- [1](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fbookanthology%2Fbook)
  Book
- 5
  More

  - [**2** Chapter](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontobookanthology%2Fchapter)
  - [**1** Paper](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontoconference%2Fpaper)
  - [**1** Book/Film/Article review](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Fbook)
  - [**1** Editorial](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Feditorial)
  - [**1** Special issue](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Fspecial)
  - [**1** Review article](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Fsystematicreview)
  - [**1** Featured article](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontoperiodical%2Ffeatured)
  - [**1** Digital or Visual Products](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fnontextual%2Fdigitalorvisualproducts)
  - [**1** Web publication/site](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fnontextual%2Fweb)

- ### [The Demands of Motherhood: Agents, Roles and Recognition](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/the-demands-of-motherhood-agents-roles-and-recognition/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/), 2012, Basingstoke: [Palgrave Macmillan](#). 178 p.

  Research output: Book/Report › Book
- ### [Abortion and nation: the politics of reproduction in contemporary Ireland](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/abortion-and-nation-the-politics-of-reproduction-in-contemporary-/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/), 28 Feb 2005, London: [Routledge](#). 200 p.

  Research output: Book/Report › Book

  - Nations-State
  - Nationhood
  - National Identity
  - Human Rights
  - European Community

  [14](https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85085420156#tab=citedBy)
  Citations
  (Scopus)
- ### [Non-sectarian Mothering in Belfast: the emotional quality of normative change](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/non-sectarian-mothering-in-belfast-the-emotional-quality-of-norma/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/), 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
- ### [Rethinking Social Roles: Conflict and Modern Life](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/rethinking-social-roles-conflict-and-modern-life/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/), 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 Access

  File

  - Conceptualization
  - Social Roles
  - Social Conflicts
  - Social Structure
  - Perspective

  [7](https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85105573484#tab=citedBy)
  Citations
  (Scopus)

  236
  Downloads
  (Pure)
- ### [Northern Ireland After Repeal the Eighth: Democratic Challenges](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/northern-ireland-after-repeal-the-eighth-democratic-challenges/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/), 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 Access

  File

  - UK
  - Politics
  - Democracy
  - Region
  - Conflict

  134
  Downloads
  (Pure)

[View all 46 research outputs](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/publications/)

## Prizes

- ### [Faculty Research Initiatives Fund Award](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/prizes/faculty-research-initiatives-fund-award-2/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Recipient), [Fischer, C.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/clara-fischer/) (Recipient) & [Cullen, N.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/niamh-cullen/) (Recipient), 09 Jun 2023

  Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
- ### [QUB: Seeds Fund- Covid -19 - QUB SSESW](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/prizes/qub-seeds-fund-covid-19-qub-ssesw/)

  [Degenhardt, T.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/teresa-degenhardt/) (Recipient), [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Recipient) & Carabelli, G. (Recipient), 01 Jun 2020

  Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)

  - supporters
  - COVID-19
  - Detention

## Activities

- [17](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Feditorialwork%2Fpublicationpeerreview)
  Publication peer-review
- [13](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Finvited_or_keynote_talk_at_national_or_international_conference)
  Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- [8](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fattendance%2Fworkshopseminarcourseparticipation)
  Participation in workshop, seminar, course
- [5](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Fpublic_lecture_debate_seminar)
  Public lecture/debate/seminar
- 19
  More

  - [**8** Membership of peer review panel or committee](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fcommittee)
  - [**7** Participation in conference](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fattendance%2Fconferenceparticipation)
  - [**5** Invited talk](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Finvited_talk)
  - [**4** PhD external examination](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fexamination%2Fexamination)
  - [**3** Editorial activity](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Feditorialwork%2Feditorial)
  - [**3** Membership of external research organisation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fcouncil)
  - [**2** Other examination](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fexamination%2Fother_examination)
  - [**2** Oral presentation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Foral_presentation)
  - [**1** KTP & Consultancy in kind](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fconsultancy%2Fconsultancy)
  - [**1** PGT external examination](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fexamination%2Fpgt_external_examination)
  - [**1** Membership of national or international committees and working groups](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fmembership_of_national_or_international_committees_and_working_groups)
  - [**1** Research and Teaching at External Organisation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fvisitother%2Fresearch_and_teaching_at_external_organisation)

- ### [A Question of Life: Human Dignity, Reproductive Rights, and Abortion Politics](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/a-question-of-life-human-dignity-reproductive-rights-and-abortion/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Invited speaker)

  10 Dec 2021

  Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- ### [Unpaid Care Work and Gender Equality after COVID-19](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/unpaid-care-work-and-gender-equality-after-covid-19/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Invited speaker)

  25 Nov 2021

  Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
- ### [Ireland's Moral Revolution: Critical Events and Collective Emotions](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/irelands-moral-revolution-critical-events-and-collective-emotions/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Presenter)

  02 Sept 2021

  Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- ### [Podcast-21st Century Body Politics, CCIR Think Tank](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/podcast-21st-century-body-politics-ccir-think-tank/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Interviewee)

  10 Jun 2021

  Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
- ### [Gender-based COVID-19 Recovery: What Policy Change is Needed to Support Women in the Labour Market?](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/gender-based-covid-19-recovery-what-policy-change-is-needed-to-su/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/) (Invited speaker)

  25 Nov 2021

  Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar

[View all 122 activities](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/activities/)

## Press/Media

- ### [‘Forgotten’ and unsupported: the experiences of informal carers in Northern Ireland during COVID-19](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/clippings/forgotten-and-unsupported-the-experiences-of-informal-carers-in-n/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/)

  23/11/2021

  1 Media contribution

  Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
- ### [Solidarity and Marginality: Family care in a pandemic](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/clippings/solidarity-and-marginality-family-care-in-a-pandemic/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/)

  23/03/2021

  1 Media contribution

  Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
- ### [Understanding the transformed moral landscape in Ireland following the ‘repeal the 8th’ referendum](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/clippings/understanding-the-transformed-moral-landscape-in-ireland-followin/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/)

  29/05/2018

  1 Media contribution

  Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
- ### [Outraged about Alabama? The abortion law is even stricter in Northern Ireland](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/clippings/outraged-about-alabama-the-abortion-law-is-even-stricter-in-north/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/)

  22/06/2019

  1 Media contribution

  Press/Media: Expert Comment
- ### [Ireland's Time of Reckoning](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/clippings/irelands-time-of-reckoning/)

  [Smyth, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/)

  21/05/2018

  1 Media contribution

  Press/Media: Expert Comment

[View all 23 press/media](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-smyth/clippings/)