BU Research Blog

Welcome to our new series, The Friday Prof-ile – a chance to get to know some of our recently appointed Professors and Associate Professors a little better. Every Friday, we’ll be asking a different person the same set of questions to get an insight into their life, work and what makes them tick. 

Professor Anna Feigenbaum

This week we’re chatting with Professor of Digital Storytelling, Anna Feigenbaum. 

What are your research interests? What made you want to study these areas? 

My research looks at communication, technology and social change. I’m particularly drawn to topics that are difficult to talk about because of their technical or scientific complexity and social sensitivity. I’ve always seen my role as an academic as serving as bridge or medium between disciplines, as well as between the university and advocacy communities.

What has been your career highlight to date? 

Either being quoted by AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) in a bill to the US congress on the harms of tear gas or being interviewed by Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness for his podcast ‘Getting Curious’.

What are you working on at the moment? 

I’m writing up findings from my AHRC project about “covid comics” and public health messaging over social media. I’m also finally starting work on my book about the cultural and political economy of infertility that got delayed because of the pandemic.

If you weren’t an academic, what would you be doing?

I still regret turning down an internship at DC comics when I was 19. So in my alternative life I’d like to be writing queer feminist superhero comics.

What do you do to unwind? 

Lots of things! Yoga, forest walks with our fur baby, bingeing fantasy or sci-fi series, and I’m currently teaching myself gothic calligraphy.

What’s the best thing about Bournemouth? 

Dog surfing. And that people don’t take themselves too seriously.

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why? 

Teleportation, so it would be easier to visit friends and family around the world – and more sustainable.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what one luxury item would you take with you?

If I’ve also got electricity on this island, my iPad.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

It’s ok that, in 2009, when those senior people asked what you worked on at an academic wine reception you said, “I do weird sh**.” One day you’ll get promoted to full professor for doing weird sh** well.

If you’re a recently appointed Professor or Associate Professor and you’d like to be featured in the series, please contact research@bournemouth.ac.uk to find out more and get involved.