Professor Anne Kerr

Professor of Sociology

Photo of Professor Anne Kerr

I work in the fields of science and technology studies and the sociology of health and illness, with a special focus upon gender, genetics and reproduction. I was Pro Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty from 2008-2011 and am currently developing research projects with a focus on biomedical innovation as well as contributing to curriculum development in the School.

Research Interests

I have researched and written widely on the social and ethical aspects of science and technology, especially with respect to issues of public understanding and engagement and professional discourses of responsibility and choice. I have ongoing research and writing projects on ethics, work and practice in assisted conception, biology and social science and early-stage innovation of medical technologies.

Teaching

I have taught a range of courses on science, medicine and ethics as well as research methodology with a particular focus on qualitative methods and research impact. I am currently contributing to the development of a range of new taught provision in the School.

PhD Supervision

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR AN ESRC WHITE ROSE NETWORK +3 STUDENTSHIP ON 'Bioscience and the Ageing Society', WHICH I WILL CO-SUPERVISE WITH ANDREW WEBSTER, UNIVERSITY OF YORK: DEADLINE 3 FEBRUARY 2012. THIS IS PART OF THE WHITE ROSE DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES NETWORK ON ‘RETHINKING THE SOCIAL PRODUCTION, LOCUS AND IMPACT OF BIOSCIENCE’. Please click here for information on how to apply.

I supervise students working on the following subjects.

Gender
Reproduction
Science
Medicine

Key Publications

Journal Articles

Garforth, L. and Kerr, A., (2011) ‘Interdisciplinarity and the social sciences: capital, institutions and autonomy’ The British Journal of Sociology vol 62 issue 4: 657-676.

Kerr, A., ‘A Problem Shared…? Teamwork, Autonomy and Error in Assisted Conception’ Social Science and Medicine 69 (2009) 1741–1749

Garforth, L and Kerr, A. (2010) ‘Let’s Get Organised: practicing and valuing scientific work inside and outside the laboratory’ Sociological Research Online

Kerr, A. (2009) 'Reproductive Genetics: From Choice to Ambivalence and Back Again'in Paul Atkinson, Peter Glasner, Margaret Lock (eds) The Handbook of Genetics & Society: Mapping the New Genomic Era Routledge

Kerr, A., Woods, B., Nettleton, S., Burrows, R. (2009) ‘Testing for Food Intolerance: New Markets in the Age of Biocapital’ Biosocieties 4, 3-24

Kerr, A. (2008) 'Assisted Conception and the Culture of Audit Human Fertility' Volume 11, Issue 1 2008, pages 9 - 16