Kirsty Fairclough

Professor of Screen Studies

School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University

Speaker Biography

An academic leader and cultural strategist, Kirsty’s work explores the intersections of popular culture and digital creativity. She has written and edited numerous books on popular music and screen cultures and regularly appears in the media as a commentator on contemporary culture. At SODA, she leads research in emerging creative technologies, including immersive media and AI-driven storytelling, fostering collaborations between academia, industry and civic partners across Greater Manchester.

Beyond academia, Kirsty is deeply engaged in regional cultural leadership serving as member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Music Commission, Chair of the Bolton Cultural Compact and Trustee at Something to Aim For. She works extensively across the cultural sector to advance inclusive, future-facing approaches to creative innovation.

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