Ms Lakshmi Sunita Nair
Contact
- Email: k2152946@kingston.ac.uk
- Location: Penrhyn Road
- Faculty: Faculty of Business and Social Sciences
- School: School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Department: Department of Criminology and Social Sciences
- Research group/centre: Criminology and sociology research
- Job market candidate
Research project: An exploration of the implications of masculinity on male rape support services in England
Abstract
My study aims to investigate (i) the framing of male rape victims and masculinity by rape support services in England, (ii) the influence of this framing on practice; (iii) how support services accommodate diversity among male victims in terms of sexuality, disability, ethnicity, nationality, and class. The study will use a qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews with providers of rape support services and analysis of policy documentation.
The study is intended to have implications for how support services conceptualise, practice, and manage support for male victims. The thesis hopes to improve the response to male rape in England, both by stimulating academic discourse in this under-addressed field, as well as by making an original contribution to evidence based practice and policy.
- Research degree: PhD
- Title of project: An exploration of the implications of masculinity on male rape support services in England
- Research supervisor: Professor Kay Peggs
- Other research supervisor: Dr Laura Garius
Biography
Having realised that my forte and passion were in addressing social challenges, I did my MSc in International Social Policy from the University of Southampton (2019). Previously, in 2017, I had completed an MA Social Work in Child Rights from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India.
In a professional capacity, in 2020, I briefly moved to a public service position as the Data collection officer at the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England, London. I have also worked as a research assistant at the University of Southampton (2019-20).
From 2016 to 2018, I have done various internships in India with Childline (crisis helpline for children), Kerala State Council for Child Welfare (department for abandoned children), MERIT (Mumbai Education Research Innovation and Training) and CIMR (Central Institute on Mental Retardation). I also have experience working as a Senior Software Developer at a multinational company UST, from 2013 to 2017.
Areas of research interest
- Sexual violence
- Gender
- Victim support
- Feminism
- Masculinity studies
- Intersectionality
Qualifications
- MSc International Social Policy, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- MA Social Work in Child Rights, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India
- BTech Information Technology, Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology, India
Funding or awards received
- FBSS PhD studentship 2021 - Kingston University
- GREAT Scholarship 2018 - British Council and University of Southampton