Emma has academic expertise across history, religion, politics, and literature. Her recently-completed PhD at the University of Sheffield draws on Biblical studies, gender studies, and popular culture to explore the parallel construction of narratives of sexual violence in the Hebrew Bible and contemporary popular culture. It is currently in the process of publication with a major publishing house.

Emma is also a trained oral historian and archaeologist (Archaeology, BA (Hons) First Class and MA in European Historical Archaeology). Emma specialised in the archaeology of religious violence from Ancient Sumeria and the Roman World to the English Reformation.

Throughout her academic work Emma has prioritised community engagement projects and collaborations with artists including photographers, inclusive practitioners, poets, illustrators and musicians.

Selection of Awards

• White Rose College of Arts and Humanities, full PhD Scholarship, 2017- 2024

• Arts and Humanities Research Council, full MA scholarship, 2011 - 2012 

• Gladstone’s Library Canon Symonds Memorial Scholarship, 2019

• Innovation in Digital Teaching Award, Sheffield Students’ Union 2017

Selection of Talks

• In conversation: Emma Nagouse and Graeme Thompson MBE. Social Cinema Screening. Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, 2023

• Beauty and Blame in Riverdale and the Bible. Gothflix Conference, 2020, University of Lancaster.

• “To Ransom a Man’s Soul: Male Rape and Gender Identity in Outlander and ‘The Suffering Man; of Lamentations 3”. Gender in the Bible: BA Theology, 2020, Cliff College.

• “I Will Strip Her Naked and Expose Her as in the Day She Was Born”: Gomer, Blac Chyna, and Revenge Pornography. Women and Gender in The Bible and The Ancient World Conference, 2019, University of Glasgow.

• “When a Stranger Calls”: Rape, Revenge, and Riverdale. Reimagining the Gothic Conference, 2018, University of Sheffield. 

• “How To Make A Ghost: A Collaborative Approach To Finding Dinah”. Religion and Rape Culture Conference, 2018, The University of Sheffield. Research talk with inclusive arts practitioner Lily Daniels.

• “What helps students to engage with the academic environment?”. RAISE (Research Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement) Annual Conference, 2017, Manchester Metropolitan University.

• “eMentoring at the University of Sheffield: Collaboration and Student Engagement”. Mentoring Professionals Conference, 2016, University of Manchester. Practitioner talk and workshop.

Selection of Conferences Organised

• Buffy and the Bible conference (2019)

In July 2019, Emma won funding for and co-organised the first international conference on the relationship between Buffy the Vampire Slayer, religion, and pop culture. The Buffy and the Bible conference was attended by scholars and fans from around the world. This event was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council and the International Gothic Association. 

• Religion and Rape Culture Conference (2018)

In July 2018, Emma won funding for, organised, and delivered the first Religion and Rape Culture Conference. This included talks from academics, research students, practitioners, artists, activists, and members of religious groups. There was also a film screening and Q&A of A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. This event was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.