Maria Tomlinson

Maria Tomlinson is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow based in the department of journalism at the University of Sheffield. The title of her project is “Menstruation in the Media: Reducing Stigma and Tackling Inequalities”. Her research examines the impact of menstrual activism, social media, and traditional media on teenagers’ attitudes towards, and knowledge of, the health and social issues that are experienced by women and people who menstruate.

Topics include endometriosis, period poverty, reusable products, menstrual stigma, and transgender identity. Maria has conducted focus groups with over seventy teenagers across Yorkshire and interviewed over 30 activists. She is working with activists and charities to improve the lives of young women and people with periods.