Questions & Answers

Who Are You?

I am a Lecturer in Criminology and Justice Studies at RMIT University (part-time), where I teach into the Master of Public Policy. I am an Early Career Academic in the field of Critical Sexuality Studies. My work primarily spans across Gender Studies, Sociology, and Media Studies. I'm a member of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) and The Australian Women's and Gender Studies Association (AWGSA).

I completed my PhD at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University in 2015. I have a BA First Class Honours from the University of Calgary in Sociology, with a minor in Women's Studies. During my undergrad I spent a year studying Gender and Sexuality at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Originally from Calgary (Canada), I have lived in Melbourne (Australia) for 13 years. I love cats, swimming, and cheese!

What Was Your Doctoral Research About?

My thesis is entitled Practising Ethics of the Self: Young People's Negotiation of Love/Sex Relationships and New Media Environments and is available via the LTU library or upon request. This research was qualitative and involved a discussion board with 28 young people across Australia, and in-person interviews with an additional 12 young people living in and around Melbourne.

It provides a gendered analysis of young people's (aged 18-25) negotiation of their romantic and sexual relationships within the era of social media, looking at how young people acted towards one another in these negotiations in order to understand the power dynamics young people experience. It looks at how the intertwining of technologies such as mobile phones and social media into everyday life impact young people's intimate relationships. Some of the themes explored are flirting, dating, Facebook stalking, jealousy, hookups, and breakups.

What Else Do You Research?

All of my publications and conference paper presentations are listed on the 'Research Areas' page. These are divided into themes. My research has covered dating, casual sex, masculinities, and sex work - to name a few topics! My work has been published in Sexualities, Feminism & Psychology, Sex Education, Archer, and more.

Broadly, I am interested in sexual cultures, relationship negotiation, and respectability politics. My analyses focus on 'relations of power' (to draw on Michel Foucault), or the tensions between structure and agency (for the Sociologists out there).

Are You Available For Work?

Yes! I'm currently seeking part-time teaching, research, policy, or consulting work and am available between 1-3 days per week (with flexible work arrangements).

How Can I Contact You?

My email is joni.meenagh@rmit.edu.au. I respond to emails on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.