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Olivia Thorne
(she/her)
BA and MA (Bath Spa University)
Teams and roles for Olivia Thorne
Research student
Graduate Tutor
Overview
Olivia is a research student and graduate tutor at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture (JOMEC), she examines the impact of video games on women by using a mixed-methods approach (a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and feminist reflexivity). Olivia's research interests include (but are not limited to) digital activism, feminist activism, the current video gaming landscape, and media cultures.
Olivia is currently an active member of the JOMEC Feminist Media Studies Research Group.
Olivia has also achieved the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).
Olivia is also working toward gaining her Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Teaching
Olivia has taught on the following modules:
- MC1114: Representations (Spring 2026, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Francesca Sobande)
- MC1114: Media and Sexuality (Spring 2026, Guest Lecture, Module Leader: Dr Francesca Sobande)
- MC1119: Advertising and the Consumer Society (Autumn 2025, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr John Jewell).
- MC1114: Representations (Spring 2025, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr Francesca Sobande)
- MC1119: Advertising and the Consumer Society (Autumn 2024, Seminar Leader, Module Leader: Dr John Jewell).
Biography
In 2017, Olivia began studying Media Communications at Bath Spa University (BA Hons. 2017-2020, Upper Second Class Honours). During her bachelor's degree, she was particularly interested in feminist representations in media, and particularly video gaming. At this point in time, she was interested in using her love for video gaming to pursue a career in marketing for a video gaming company.
In 2020, after graduating, she was inspired to remain in education to further her knowledge in Marketing and Brand Management (MA 2020-2021, Pass with Distinction). While completing her master's thesis titled "An investigation into the representation of gender, ethnic minorities and the LGBT+ community on video game marketing", the results from this study highlighted that there is a stigma surrounding the definition of gamer, and most interviewees mentioned that they noticed the prevalence of geek masculinity within gaming. This thesis inspired her doctoral research. In 2025, Olivia was awarded the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), recognising her skill and experience with pedagogy.
Currently, Olivia is working toward gaining her Fellowship in Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and is in her fourth year of her PhD.
Honours and awards
BA (Hons.), MA, AFHEA
Professional memberships
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Speaking engagements
- "The Cycle of Exclusion in Video Gaming", ECREA Digital Games Research, King Juan Carlos University and Complutense University of Madrid, 9th - 10th 2023.
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Video gaming
- Feminism
- Feminist Media Studies
- Feminist Gaming Studies
- Feminist methodologies