Prof Sara Parker
Humanities and Social Science
Faculty of Arts Professional and Social Studies
Email: S.L.Parker@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 5924
Dignity Without Danger
Foundation
Fair Connections twitter for fair trade and Nepal related tweets
Sociology twitter account for all things sociology
My blog on travel and field work in the main
ORCID
Sara is a Reader in Development Studies and is PI on a BA GCRF Sustainable Development Project entitled 'Dignity Without Danger' Collaboratively analysing stigma and taboos to develop innovative strategies to address menstrual exclusion in Nepal
She is Level 4 Year Tutor for students in the Sociology Department and Link Tutor on the Criminology Sociology joint degree programme. She and has worked at LJMU since 1994 and teaches modules on Globalisation and Development at Level 4, Qualitative Research methods in Level 5 and an International Field Work module at Level 6.
Passionate about participatory action research with strong research links in Nepal, Sara has been teaching in the School of Social Science since 1994. She completed her PhD on Actionaid's RELECT programme in the remote mountainous village of Sikles in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Leading on from this she facilitated a community photography project which led to the publication of a coffee table book entitled 'Our Village Our Life Sikles in Focus' featuring photographs taken by local people. This project challenges stereotypical images of Nepal and focuses on local people representing their own reality. It brought together women's groups. youth group members and teachers and children in the local school and led to funds being raised for locally determined autonomous development projects.
Sara has also researched and published in the areas of gender and education, ageing in Nepal and more recently on the rise of fair trade in the 'Global South'. She has presented papers at the Fair Trade International Symposium in Mila, (May 2015) and is presenting a paper at the 4th International Visual Methods Conference in September 2015.
Sara's research interests are embedded into her teaching on modules such as World Development, Global Consumption, Methods and International Fieldwork modules. She has led field trips to China, Nepal and Brussels.
In addition to this Sara has recently founded a Community Interest Company, Fair Connections (Global) CIC, to develop materials and resources for the primary school curriculum on the topic of fair trade (two words!) and Nepal. She has co-written a story book aimed at primary school children in Key Stage one and two, entitled 'Adventures of Fairis a Nepali Frog'. An educational material and resources have been developed by Sara to support this story including a handmade fair trade based 'Global International Fair Trade Story Sack'. This is having a direct impact on the lives of people in Nepal by expanding the market for products made by WFTO members in Nepal. Fair Connections is providing internship opportunities for students at LJMU to develop their employability skills and gain invaluable experiences related to both ethical business and education - wee www.fairconnections.org and also a foundation www.fairconnectionsfoundation.org
She is also passionate about photography and travel and utilises a range of visual and participatory methods in her teaching, research and community engagement.
Languages
Nepali
French
Degrees
2005, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD
1994, University of Bath, United Kingdom, MSc Development Studies
1989, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, BA (HOns) Geography
Certifications
1990, International House, United Kingdom, TEFL
Academic appointments
Professor of Collaborative Action Research, Social Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2024 - present
Highlighted publications
Standing K, Parker S. 2019. Nepal's menstrual huts: What can be done about the practice of confining women to cow sheds? Publisher Url
Standing KE, Parker SL, Bista S. 2017. ‘It’s Breaking Quite Big Social Taboos’ Violence Against Women and Girls and Self-Defense Training in Nepal Women's Studies International Forum, 64 :51-58 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Standing KE, Parker SL, Bista S. 2016. Grassroots responses to violence against women and girls in post-earthquake Nepal: lessons from the field Gender and Development, 24 :187-204 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Journal article
Begg S, Jha B, Shah N, Shrestha A, Pulford J, Parker S. 2024. Empowering youth as Changemakers for gender-transformative action: a play-based participatory approach in South-East Nepal Perspectives in Public Health, 144 :285-296 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sapkota BD, Simkhada P, Newton D, Parker S. 2024. Domestic Violence Against Women in Nepal: A Systematic Review of Risk Factors Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 25 :2703-2720 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Basnet S, Standing KE, Parker SL, Sharma S. 2022. Violence Against Women and Girls in Humanitarian Crisis: Learning from the 2015 Nepal Earthquake South Asian Journal of Law, Policy, and Social Research, 1 Publisher Url Public Url
Subedi M, Parker S. 2021. Menstrual Exclusions in Nepal: Some Evidence of Transition Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 15 :1-9 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Daly A, Parker SL, Sherpa S, Regmi U. 2019. Federalisation and education in Nepal: contemporary reflections on working through change Education 3-13, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Standing KE, Parker SL, Bista S. 2017. ‘It’s Breaking Quite Big Social Taboos’ Violence Against Women and Girls and Self-Defense Training in Nepal Women's Studies International Forum, 64 :51-58 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Standing KE, Parker SL, Bista S. 2016. Grassroots responses to violence against women and girls in post-earthquake Nepal: lessons from the field Gender and Development, 24 :187-204 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Doherty B, Smith A, Parker S. 2015. Fair Trade market creation and marketing in the Global South Geoforum, 67 :158-171 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Parker S, Standing K, Shrestha BK. 2014. 'My grandfather broke all traditional norms by sending both his daughters to school': Lessons from 'inspirational' women in Nepal Gender and Development, 22 :91-108 DOI Publisher Url
Parker SL, Nikku BR, Khatri R. 2014. Social policy, social work and age care in Nepal: mapping services and missing links European Journal of Social Work Online, :1-16 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Parker S, Khatatri R, Cook IG, Pant B. 2014. THEORIZING AGING IN NEPAL: BEYOND THE BIOMEDICAL MODEL CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY-CAHIERS CANADIENS DE SOCIOLOGIE, 39 :231-254 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Parker S, Standing K, Pant B. 2013. Caught in the cross fire: Children's right to education during conflict - the case of Nepal 1996-2006 Children and Society, 27 :372-384 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Parker S. 2011. Business and NGOs in interaction: A quest for corporate social responsibility GEOGRAPHY, 96 :53-53 Author Url
Standing KE, Parker S, Mahtab N, Thapaliya H. 2011. Gender and Women’s Studies courses in Nepal, Bangladesh and the UK: experiences from the DelPHE link programme, Education and Development, 22 :85-106 Publisher Url
Standing K, Parker S. 2010. The Effect of the ‘Peoples War’ on Schooling in Nepal 1996 – 2006, Education, Citizenship and Social Justice,, 3 DOI Publisher Url
Dummer TJB, Cook IG, Parker SL, Barrett GA, Hull AP. 2008. Promoting and assessing 'deep learning' in geography fieldwork: An evaluation of reflective field diaries JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY IN HIGHER EDUCATION, 32 :459-479 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Parker S. 2005. Reflecting on REFLECT: Experiences of Non-Formal Education in Nepal Parker S. International Journal of Learning, Common Ground, 12 :17-28
Parker S, Pant B. Longevity in Nepal, Environmental, Health and Policy Challenges International Journal of Society Systems Science Issue., 4 :333-345 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Books (authored)
Standing K, Standing PIGSK, Parker RIDSS, Parker S, Lotter S. 2024. Experiences of Menstruation from the Global South and North Towards Visualised, Inclusive, and Applied Menstruation Studies Oxford University Press, USA 9780197267578
Parker S, Standing K, Subedi M. 2024. MENSTRUATION IN NEPAL: Dignity Without Danger :1-264 DOI Publisher Url
Mahtab N. 2016. Revealing Gender Inequalities and Perceptions in South Asian Countries through Discourse Analysis Parker S. IGI Global 9781522502807
Chapters
Lotter S, Standing K, Parker S. 2024. Introduction Standing K, Parker S, Lotter S. Experiences of menstruation from the Global South and North: Towards a visualised, inclusive and applied menstruation studies The British Academy/Oxford University Press. Oxford
Standing K, Parker S, Lotter S. 2024. Conclusion Standing K, Parker S, Lotter S. Experiences of menstruation from the Global South and North: Towards a visualised, inclusive and applied menstruation studies. British Academy/Oxford University Press DOI Publisher Url
Parker S, Daly A, Shrestha BK. 2024. Menstruation Education: Case Study of Creating a Menstruation Resource Kit in Nepal Standing K, Parker S, Lotter S. EXPERIENCES OF MENSTRUATION FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH AND NORTH: TOWARDS A VISUALISED, INCLUSIVE, AND APPLIED MENSTRUATION STUDIES :38-58 Oxford University Press for The British Academy. Oxford 978-0-19-726757-8
Parker S, Standing K. 2024. ‘DIGNITY’ AND ‘FREEDOM’ KITS: Insights into Re-usable Menstrual Pads in Nepal Menstruation in Nepal: Dignity without Danger :145-163 DOI Publisher Url
Parker S, Standing K, Subedi M. 2024. INTRODUCTION Menstruation in Nepal: Dignity without Danger :1-17 DOI Publisher Url
Parker S, Standing K, Subedi M. 2024. CONCLUSION AND THE WAY FORWARD Menstruation in Nepal: Dignity without Danger :253-264 DOI Publisher Url
Parker S. 2021. Aging in Nepal: Emerging issues and challenges Aging in Asia :91-110
Standing KE, Parker S. 2017. Girls’ and women’s rights to menstrual health in Nepal Mahtab N. Women's Issues and Rights in the Developing World :156-168 IGI Global Publisher. Hershey, Pennsylvania (USA) 9781522530183 DOI Publisher Url
Parker S, Pant B. 2009. Aging in Nepal: Emerging Issues and Challenges Powell JL, Cook IG. Aging in Asia :89-108 Nova Science Publishers 9781607416494
Parker S, Standing K. 2007. The Impact of Conflict on schools in Nepal’ Leach F, Dunne M. Education, conflict and reconciliation Peter Lang Pub Inc 9783039109456
Standing K, Parker S, Dhital L. 2006. Schools in Nepal: ‘Zones of Peace’ or Sites of Gendered Violence Leach FE, Mitchell C. Combating gender violence in and around schools Trentham Books Ltd 9781858563886
Parker S. 1997. Annapurna Conservation Area Project In pursuit of sustainable development ? Auty R, Brown K. Approaches to Sustainable Development :144-168 Psychology Press 9781855674394
Parker S, Standing K, Subedi M. Introduction Menstruation in Nepal :1-17 Taylor & Francis DOI
Internet publication
Standing K, Parker S. 2019. Nepal's menstrual huts: What can be done about the practice of confining women to cow sheds? Publisher Url
Standing KE, Parker SL. 2019. Nepal’s menstrual huts: what can be done about this practice of confining women to cow sheds? Publisher Url Public Url
Parker S, Standing K. 2018. Tackling the taboo around menstruation Nepal Author Url
Poster
Daly A, Parker S, Sherpa S. 2018. ‘Opportunities and barriers for public services presented by Federalisation in Nepal’ Centre for Educational Reserach/Arts, Professional and Social Sciences Reserach Exchange Author Url
Other
Standing KE, Parker SL. 2016. Overcoming intersectional barriers: Lessons from 'inspirational' women in Nepal Mahtab N, Parker S, Haque T, Sabur A, Sowed ASM. DOI Publisher Url
Books (edited)
2011. Our Village Our Life; Sikles in Focus Jagadamba Press Kathmandu, Nepal Parker S. Jagadamba Press. Kathmandu, Nepal
Discourse analysis for a tool for understanding gender identity Mahtab N, Parker S.
Thesis/Dissertation
Mwandumba GE. Globalisation, structural adjustment and small and micro-sized enterprises in Malawi Public Url
Editorial/letter to the editor
Van Teijlingen E, Subedi M, Parker S, Khattri MB. The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Academic Writing and Publishing Papers Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 18 DOI Publisher Url
Highlighted activities
Conference organisation:
Menstruation representing experiences from the Global South and North at the British Academy, Co-organiser, https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/menstruation-representing-experiences-global-south-and-north. 2020
Research Grants Awarded:
BA Global Challenges Research Fund Sustainable Development, Dignity Without Danger Collaboratively analysing stigma and taboos to develop innovative strategies to address menstrual exclusion in Nepal, Prof Madhu Sudan Subedi Tribhuvan University Dr Kay Standing LJMU Dr Stefanie Lotter SOAS University of London, Grant value (£): £299,500, Duration of research project: 27 months. 2018
External committees:
British Nepal Academic Council (BNAC), Research committee, Executive Member, http://bnac.ac.uk/. 2015
Professional activities
Conference presentation:
Presentation and Panel; Dignity Without Danger Visualising Menstruation in Nepal lessons from a collaborative action research project, International Visual Methods Conference, Online / South Africa, Oral presentation. 2021
Dangers of a Single Narrative the need for multi media creative outputs, Menstruation: sharing experiences from the global north and south, British Academy London, Oral presentation. 2021
Dignity Without Danger Visualising Menstruation in Nepal lessons from a collaborative action research project, International Visual Sociology Association, On;ine, Oral presentation. 2021
BRANNGO Survey Feedback - Dr Sara Parker and Dr Angela Daly Liverpool John Moores University, British and Nepal NGOs Meeting, Virtual, Oral presentation. 2020
Preliminary Insights from Dignity Without Danger collaboratively analysing cultural norms stigmas and taboos, Martin Chautari - BNAC Lecture Series 1, Kathmandu, Oral presentation. 2020
Dignity Without Danger challenges and opportunities of collaborative action research in Nepal, Social Science Baha Annual Conference, Kathmandu, Oral presentation. 2019
Bloody Periods! Visualising Menstruation to challenge taboos and social norms: insights from Nepal, Society for Menstrual Cycle Research Conference, Colorado Springs, Oral presentation. 2019
Ethical issues when visualising menstruation in Nepal Combatting Social Stigma, International Visual Sociology Association, Saratoga Springs, Oral presentation. 2019
Education Reform in Nepal: Opportunities for Collaboration and Inclusive Education, Education in Nepal, Chautari Conference, Kathmandu, Nepal, Oral presentation. 2019
Gender, Education, Advocacy Resources: Gearing up for Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Schools, Martin Chautari Annual Conference, Kathmandu, Oral presentation. 2019
Educational Reforms in Nepal: a critical moment for change?, CERES Research Seminar, Liverpool John Moores University, Oral presentation. 2018
Evaluating the impact of international fieldtrips on students experiences in Sociology, Teaching and Learning Conference LJMU, Liverpool John Moores University, Oral presentation. 2017
Qualitative research in action Inspirational women in Nepal, Teaching and Learning Conference LJMU, Liverpool John Moores University, Oral presentation. 2017
Evaluating the impact of long haul international fieldtrips and blogging on the student experience in Sociology, LJMU Teaching and Learning Conference, LJMU, Oral presentation. 2017
Qualitative research in action: inspirational women in Nepal, LJMU Teaching and learning conference, LJMU, Oral presentation. 2017
Grassroots Responses To Violence Against Women And Girls In Post-earthquake Nepal: Lessons From The Field., British Nepal Academic Council Annual Conference, Bournemouth, Oral presentation. 2017
Impacts on Menstrual Health : Reusable Sanitary Pads in Nepal, Britain-Nepal Academic Council, Oxford University, Oral presentation. 2017
Violence Against Women and Girls in Nepal, British Nepal Academic Council Annual Conference, Liverpool John Moores University, Oral presentation. 2016
Conference organisation:
Menstruation Representing experiences from the Global South and Global North British Academy, Co-Organiser, https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/menstruation-representing-experiences-global-south-and-north/. 2021
Menstruation representing experiences from the Global South and North at the British Academy, Co-organiser, https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/menstruation-representing-experiences-global-south-and-north. 2020
Joint Nepal-UK Education and Research Workshop Educational Inclusion and Rights in Practice: Classroom in the Clouds NGO/LJMU School of Education, Organised by Classrooms in the Clouds NGO and LJMU School of Education/Sociology. 2018
14th Nepal Study Day British Nepal Academic Council Liverpool, Co-Organiser, https://www.bnac.ac.uk/bnac-event/14th-nepal-study-days-14-15-april-2016-ljm-university/. 2016
Research Grants Awarded:
GCRF, Bricks in the Wall: Opportunities and barriers to education for children of families working in seasonal brick kiln settlements in Nepal, Sara Parker and Babu Kaji Shrestha, Grant value (£): 3025, Duration of research project: 4 months. 2020
BA Global Challenges Research Fund Sustainable Development, Dignity Without Danger Collaboratively analysing stigma and taboos to develop innovative strategies to address menstrual exclusion in Nepal, Prof Madhu Sudan Subedi Tribhuvan University Dr Kay Standing LJMU Dr Stefanie Lotter SOAS University of London, Grant value (£): £299,500, Duration of research project: 27 months. 2018
British Academy/Leverhulme small grant, Re-usable sanitary towel projects: Assessing their wider impact on women's health and well-being in Nepal, Sara Parker, LJMU, Grant value (£): 7820.00, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2016
Other invited event:
2nd HISSAN International Conference on "Prospects and Challenges of Higher Education: Vision 2030" April 17-18, 2020, Park Village Resort, Budanilkant, Kathmandu Nepal, http://www.hissan.org.np/news/2nd-hissan-international-conference-on-prospects-and-challenges-of-higher-education-vision-2030-april-17-18-2020-park-village-resort-budanilkantha-kathmandu-nepal-. 2020
Reflection on Gender and Development in Nepal: Action Research over past 30 years, Central Department of Sociology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, Invited Presentation with Dr Sara Parker, LJMU. 2017
External PGR examinations performed:
Tribhuvan University, Nepal, PhD, Exploring Queer Identities in Nepal; Implications to Education. 2020
Monash University, Australia, PhD, Intersecting Marginalisations and Reproductive Health, The experience of young Dalit women in Achham, Nepal. 2019
Deakin University, Australia, PhD, 'Reproductive health for the marginalised: the knowledge of young women trafficked into the sex industry in Nepal'. 2018
Award:
Amazing Teaching Awards: JMSU President Award, John Moores Student Union. 2019
British Academy Small Grant, British Academy. 2011
Mainstreaming Gender in Higher Education: UK Nepal and Bangladesh, British Council. 2010
Media Coverage:
Bloody Period Nepali Times Kathmandu (opens in a new tab) 2018
Untold stories of Unsung Heroes - Inspirational Women in Nepal March 2018 (opens in a new tab)
External collaboration:
https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/newsupdate/viewarticle/3351/, lJMU School of Education and Sociology/Classrooms in the Clouds, Nepal, Classrooms in the Clouds, Nepal. 2018
External committees:
Britain and Nepal NGO Network (BRANNGO), An informal network connecting NGOs that work in Nepal across a range od SDGS, Elected Committee Member, https://www.branngo.org/. 2018
Liverpool World Centre, Liverpool World Centre, Trustee, http://liverpoolworldcentre.org/. 2016
British Nepal Academic Council (BNAC), Research committee, Executive Member, http://bnac.ac.uk/. 2015
Developing Areas Research Group, Royal Geographical Society, Member and Undergraduate Dissertation Prize Coordinator. 2010
Membership of professional bodies:
Elected Executive Committee Member (2015), British Nepal Academic Council, http://bnac.ac.uk/. 1999
Member, Development Studies Association. 1995
Member, Development Studies Association, http://www.devstud.org.uk/. 1995
Other Professional Activity:
Blood Rituals: Light Night 2019 In collaboration with Dignity Without Danger, we present a collaborative multi-part installation examining rituals surrounding menstruation. Blood Rituals combines virtual reality, photography and film exploring menstrual experiences in Nepal with material from LJMU’s Femorabilia collection, artworks by Bee Hughes and Poloumi Basu and craft activities with Period Project Merseyside to reflect on menstrual stigma in the UK and globally..