Elspeth Probyn

Elspeth Probyn "has taught media studies, sociology, and literature in Canada and the US, and is now the Professor of Gender Studies at the University of Sydney. She has held several prestigious visiting appointments, including the Mellon Distinguished Scholar, The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Honorary Professor, Albert Schweitzer International University, Geneva. In 2002 she was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

"Her work focuses on questions of identity, sexuality and bodies. She has been constantly interested in what people think and do with their bodies – from eating, sex, to emotions and writing.

"Elspeth has published several books in these areas, including Sexing the Self, Outside Belongings, Carnal Appetites, Sexy Bodies. Her latest book, Blush: Faces of Shame (University of Minnesota Press, and UNSW Press, 2005) focuses on shame as a positive force in society. She is also interested in ethics, the media and popular culture, and recently co-edited (with Catharine Lumby) Remote Control, a book on media ethics, and new forms of television such as reality TV and food shows."