Comedy Studies PhD

As an interdisciplinary centre it considers the production, content, reception and wider socio-political implications of comedy in a variety of formats and from a range of perspectives. The Centre successfully brings together leading academics and writers in the fields of media and communications, sociology, psychology, theatre, drama, film and television, computing, English, creative writing and social work.

Our research examines the production, content, reception and wider socio-political implications of comedy in its variety of formats from television sketch shows to comedy thrillers. All of our research and teaching is strongly underpinned by the belief that comedy is socially, culturally, politically and economically significant at local, national and international levels. Our work clusters around a number of overlapping themes that include:

Mediated and Live Comedy
Comedy and Identity
Comedy, Taboo and Offence
Comedy, Power and Ideology
Comic Novels
The Centre has strong links with the comedy industry and is supported by five CCSR Ambassadors:

Jo Brand– Comedian, writer, actress and Brunel Honorary Graduate.
Nitin Ganatra– Actor (e.g. Eastenders and Mumbai Calling).
Lee Mack- Comedian, writer, actor and Brunel Honorary Graduate.
Simon Minty– Co-founder and Producer of Abnormally Funny People.
Geoff Rowe– Director & Founder of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival.
Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students