About Cariad

Hello! I'm Cariad, an AHRC CHASE-funded doctoral researcher and Lecturer in Media Studies at the University of Kent. My research sits at the intersection between media, culture and everyday life. I'm particularly interested in the ways popular culture becomes woven into our identities, relationships and everyday routines, and how digital media in particular shapes the experiences of children and young people. I'm currently completing my PhD on ‘the Disney Family,’ which examines how Disney fandom is used to build and sustain multigenerational bonds throughout the family life cycle.

Alongside my doctoral research, I convene and teach modules on media, ethics and social change. One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is encouraging students to think critically about the media they encounter every day, from social media and gaming to film and television.

Prior to academia, I worked in live television production before moving into brand and digital marketing strategy. Those experiences continue to shape my research, particularly my interest in the commercialisation of digital culture and the influence of social media on children, young people and families. Having worked within these industries, I'm interested in the opportunities they create, while advocating for a critical perspective on the commercial incentives that shape online experiences.

My work has been presented at conferences in the UK and internationally, and published in edited collections and academic journals, including Inheriting my Ears: Disney Fandom and Identity Formation in Infancy in The Cultural Legacy of Disney: A Century of Magic (2024). I'm grateful to have received support for my research through an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) CHASE Studentship, and was honoured to receive the Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship in 2024.

Outside academia, I'm actively involved in my local community and currently serve as Chair of Trustees for a small charity supporting a school community in an area of high deprivation. I'm incredibly proud of the projects we've delivered together, including securing funding for a £50,000 refurbishment of our Forest School after it was destroyed in an arson attack. We're currently transforming a donated shipping container into a community library, creating a new space for children and families to develop a love of reading. This work has given me valuable experience in charity leadership, grant funding and community partnership, while keeping me closely connected to the realities facing children and families beyond the university.

I'm always interested in opportunities to collaborate on research, contribute to public engagement, or speak about media, childhood, digital culture and family fandom. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.