Personal profile
Research interests
Feminist political economy
Queer theory
Capitalism
British politics
Sex work
Austerity
Neoliberal discourse
Body politics
Poverty
Biography
Nicola Smith's research focuses on the intersections between feminist political economy and queer theory, and her publications span topics such as sex work, body politics, austerity, and neoliberal discourse. She teaches the final-year undergraduate module "The Politics of Gender, Sex and Sexuality" (with Sameera Khalfey) and the MA module "Globalisation and Governance", and is currently Postgraduate Director for POLSIS.
Qualifications
PhD Political Science (University of Birmingham)
MA Research Methods (Political Science) (University of Birmingham)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Common Sense and the Common People: A Queer Typology of Radical Right Populism in the UK
Vernon, P. J. & Smith, N., 18 Feb 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: British Politics.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Fat Scrounger, Lean Times: A Tale of Two Bodies in Austerity Britain
Morris, A. & Smith, N., Dec 2025, In: British Politics. 20, 4, p. 579–598 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile48 Downloads (Pure) -
Sex work
Smith, N., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Handbook of Gender in World Politics. Tepe-Belfrage, D. & Montgomerie, J. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward ElgarResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Sexual Injustice
Gore, E. & Smith, N., 20 Nov 2023, The Oxford Handbook of International Political Economy . Pevehouse, J. C. W. & Seabrooke, L. (eds.). 1 ed. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 732-750 19 p. (Oxford Handbooks).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Capitalism’s sexual history
Smith, N., 6 Oct 2020, Oxford University Press. 200 p. (Oxford Studies in Gender and International Relations)Research output: Book/Report › Book
3 Citations (Scopus)
Projects
- 3 Finished
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Closing the loop: bridging the gap between provision and implementation of feedback
Smith, N. (Principal Investigator) & Basra, H. (Co-Investigator)
10/06/13 → 9/12/14
Project: Research
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Male and Transgender Sex Work in the UK and the Netherlands
Smith, N. (Principal Investigator)
1/10/11 → 30/09/12
Project: Research
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Discourses of Globalisation and European Integration in the UK and Ireland
Smith, N. (Principal Investigator)
Economic & Social Research Council
1/08/04 → 30/11/05
Project: Research Councils
Activities
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Capitalism's Sexual History
Smith, N. (Invited speaker)
31 Jan 2023Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
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Lean times: the body politics of austerity
Smith, N. (Invited speaker)
9 Nov 2022Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
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To what extent and in what ways is marriage an economic institution as well as a sexual one?
Smith, N. (Invited speaker)
20 May 2022Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
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Convenors’ Roundtable: IPE in (Post-)Pandemic Times
Smith, N. (Speaker)
27 Jan 2022Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
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Book talk: 'Capitalism's Sexual History' with author Nicola Smith
Smith, N. (Invited speaker)
29 Nov 2021Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
Prizes
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College of Social Sciences Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching and Support of Student Learning
Smith, N. (Recipient), 2013
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Highly Commended: College of Social Science's Award for Excellence in Doctoral Supervision
Smith, N. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Runner-up: Best Article Prize (British Journal of Politics & International Relations)
Smith, N. (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Shortlisted: Best Article Prize (British Politics)
Morris, A. (Recipient) & Smith, N. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Press/Media
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Sexuality and Queer Political Economy with Dr Nicola Smith
8/09/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Capitalism's Sexual History: an interview with Nicola J Smith hosted by Victoria Holt
17/08/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Queer Muslim sex worker reveals realities of everyday life in London
3/05/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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This is what it's like to be a queer Muslim sex worker in London
22/04/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media