Dr Violet Olivia Thompson

(she/her)

BA (Cardiff), MA (Cardiff), PhD (Cardiff), FHEA

Publication

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Research

Violet's primary research interest is queer sub-cultures, with a particular focus on the spectrum of drag performance. Specifically, she is interested in the mainstreaming of drag, as well as its commercilisation and commodification. More broadly, Violet is interested in representations of gender non-conformity in popular culture, transgender studies, as well as the intersecting debates on these topics regarding audiences and fandom. As part of her research, Violet is also interested in queer media, reality television, and feminist media studies.

Thesis

Mainstreaming RuPaul, Homogenising Drag: Analysing the Stakes of the Global Drag Race Empire

RuPaul’s Drag Race, the reality-competition series in which drag performers compete for the title of the ‘next drag superstar’, has experienced mainstream success. Consequently, greater attention has been paid to the ways the franchise represents drag culture to maintain this success. This thesis considers the stakes of this mainstreaming in the context of three localisations of the franchise, each the first international series to be hosted by RuPaul: UK (2019), Down Under (2021), and, UK vs. The World (2022).

Through a qualitative textual analysis, this thesis argues that the homogenisation of drag, previously identified by scholars as a potential upshot of the mainstreaming of Drag Race, manifests in these seasons. Specifically, however, this thesis argues that this homogenisation is grounded in a US-centric outlook, which also shapes its framing of cultural identity. The findings chapters are ordered thematically, each outlining a different manifestation of this homogenisation.

The first argues that US cultural imperialism manifests through the normalisation of US perspectives on global cultures, thus limiting the scope for cultural representation. The second argues that this extends to a constructed superiority of US drag, and specifically, the polished, pageant drag found within the US series. The third argues that these themes manifest through RuPaul himself, who acts as the embodiment of each. Subsequently, their role in these seasons is to extend and solidify their own superiority.

This thesis contributes to existing Drag Race literature, by assessing the now-global status of the franchise. Given the franchise’s increased visibility, and its growing influence on local drag cultures, it is incumbent on scholars to analyse the stakes of its representations. Through analysis of these seasons, this thesis argues that despite its success, international localisations of Drag Race remain homogenised, irrespective of the possibilities they provide for their contestants and culturally specific iterations of drag.

You can view Violet's PhD thesis via open access through ORCA. 

Teaching

Speaking Engagements

• "Taking over the Mother-Tucking World!": RuPaul's Drag Race and North American Universalism. PhD Conference, JOMEC, Cardiff University, 10th May 2022. 
• "It could be sacrilegious in other cultures, but to us Brits, that's the way to do it": Conflict and Cultural Resistance in RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Celebrity Studies Conference, University of Amsterdam, 1st - 3rd July 2024.

Teaching 

Violet has taught on the following undergraduate modules within JOMEC: 

First Year 

• MC1110: History of Mass Communications and Culture (Autumn 2022, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Matt Walsh)
• MC1114: Representations (Spring 2025/Spring 2026, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Francesca Sobande)
• MC1118: An Introduction to Media Audiences (Spring 2026/Spring 2027, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Diana Garrisi)
• MC1578: Understanding Journalism Studies (Spring 2026, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Mike Berry)

Second Year

• MC2645: Media and Sexuality (Spring 2024/Spring 2025, Guest Lecture, Module Leader: Dr Alida Payson)
• MC2631: Media, Globalisation and Culture (Spring 2025, Guest Lecture, Module Leader: Dr Lele Bao)
• MC3549: War, Politics and Propaganda (Spring 2026/Spring 2027, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr John Jewell )
• MC2116: Media, Power, Society (Autumn 2026, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Galina Miazhevich)
• MC2648: Media, Gender and Sexuality (Spring 2027, Module Leader)

Third Year

• MC3633: Popular Music, Media and Culture (Autumn 2022/Autumn 2023/Autumn 2024/Autumn 2026, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Lucy Bennett)
• MC3634: Clothing Matters: Global Fashion Cultures & Politics (Spring 2023, Guest Lecture, Module Leader: Dr Alida Payson)
• MC3608: The Creative and Cultural Industries (Spring 2024/Spring 2025, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Carrie Westwater)
• MC3632: The Cultural Politics of Contemporary Hollywood (Autumn 2026, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Hannah Hamad)

Supervision

Violet supervises third-year BA dissertations in fields such as representations of gender and sexuality, fandom and fan cultures, and reality television.

Training

Violet has delivered the following training as part of the Cardiff University Learning and Teaching Academy to support staff members undertaking their Education Fellowship Programmes:

• Queer Theory in Teaching and Learning: How can Queer Theory challenge our assumptions in Higher Education? (Autumn 2025, Guest Speaker, Inclusive Education Conversations)

Biography

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, FHEA (2026 - Present)
• JOMEC Feminist Media Studies Research Group (2022 - Present)

Academic positions

• Teacher, JOMEC, Cardiff University (2026 - )
• Graduate Tutor, JOMEC, Cardiff University (2022 - 2025)

Committees and reviewing

• Editorial Assistant, Feminist Media Studies (2024 - 2025)
• Assistant Editor, JOMEC Journal (2022 - 2025)
• JOMEC Equality and Diversity Committee (2021 - 2025)
• JOMEC Education and Student Experince Committee (2021 - 2025)