Dr Lisa Hackett

Lecturer - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Phone: +61 6773 3748

Biography

Lisa’s research examines fashion, clothing and uniform in popular culture through a sociological and historical lens to expose the ways clothing defines identity and social roles. Her PhD examined the ways that Australian women utilise 1950s style to fashion their identities. Lisa is the co-founder (along with Dr Jo Coghlan and Mr Huw Nolan) of the Popular Culture Research Network which brings together scholars and researchers who share a fascination in the academic inquiry into all manner of mass phenomena. Her current research includes the study of the use of female Second World War pilot’s uniforms in propaganda, an examination into the appropriation of film character style by fans, and the British Royal Family in popular culture.

Lisa is a co-founder of PopCRN - The Popular Culture Research Network and serves on the Editorial Board of Popular Culture Review.

The Popular Culture Research Network

The Popular Culture Research Network (PopCRN) brings together researchers across a variety of disciplines to further popular culture studies. Established in 2021 in response to the University of New England’s strong research output in the popular culture field, it provides a centre of excellence to showcase academic talent. It provides a venue for researchers to share and collaborate on work. PopCRN also provides publishing opportunities for those presenters who would like to extend the reach of their work.

Our symposiums have attracted scholars from around the world, working in a diverse array of disciplines, all connected through popular culture phenomena. The popular culture field stretches across a number of modes, including television, music, fashion, theatre, literature, sport and film. Popular culture is an important aspect of society to study as it reflects issues such as trends, norms, and social identity. PopCRN furthers research into the field through collaborations of its members, with a focus on interdisciplinary work. PopCRN researchers are established in their field and their work represents the cutting edge of popular culture study. Jo supervisors PhD candidates in popular culture studies.

Website: PopCRN@UN Twitter: @PopcultureUne Facebook: PopCRN UNE

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (2020) University of New England

Master of Business Administration (2006) Murdoch University

Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies) (1998) Edith Cowan University

Teaching Areas

Sociology
Popular Culture
Criminology

Primary Research Area/s

Fashion, clothing and uniform in society and popular culture, both today and historically; Royalty – fandom, social understandings and cultural history; Romance novels – authenticity and accuracy in romance subgenres; Crime in popular culture; Popular culture in general; Aviation History; Students interested in research projects in these or affiliated areas are most welcome to submit an email query.

Research Interests

Grants

2024 "Mapping Australian Aviation: A pilot study for the digital linking of archival material" UNE Internal Funding Scheme for Early Career Researchers (ECRs, Competitive)

This pilot study will create the protocols required to design a pioneering aviation heritage dataset in Australia which will increase the providence of the nation. Australia’s aviation heritage is currently dispersed across 70 different sites in Australia, which are primarily independently catalogued and managed. The ultimate aim of this project is to enable the implementation of a large, linked database connecting aviation heritage sites through a singular, accessible portal. The successful design of a dataset depends upon a universal language that links archival material from multiple locations. The dispersed nature of Australia’s aviation archives has meant that each location has developed its own set of descriptors to identify artefacts. Some rely on established software systems, while others utilise in-house software or even excel spreadsheets. The successful design of a universal protocol therefore necessitates the rigorous examination of archival material and cataloguing methods.

2022 – 2023 "Locating Authenticity in Crime Romance Novels: Perspectives from International Readers and Writers" with co-investigator Associate Professor Jo Coghlan (Sociology & Criminology, UNE), Romance Writers of America Academic Grant (competitive).

The focus of this research is to examine how readers and writers of contemporary crime romance fiction negotiate issues and tensions of accuracy and authenticity in the genre, and the different levels of accuracy that may be wanted by readers. Crime can occur in any romance novel, however, there is a distinct subgenre of crime romance fiction. One prominent series is Harlequin Mills & Boon’s Intrigue series which promises the reader can “[d]ive into action-packed stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Solve the crime and deliver justice at all costs” (Harlequin 2022a). Crime romance fiction can be set in any era and can occur across various romance subgenres. This research is focused on romance novels from across the spectrum that have a strong focus on crime.

Research Supervision Experience

PhD “Culinary Connections and Collections: An International View of Mormon Cooking until 1970

PhD “The Role of Homemaking in Australia with Regards to the Economic, Social, Cultural and Political Perceptions and Evaluations of the Work”

PhD “How Tongans use social media as a platform to emphasise and redefine their concepts of the Tongan Way in a contemporary setting”

PhD “Forgotten in Crisis: Aged Care and Covid-19: Have human rights been denied in locking aged care residents away from their loved ones in the last (possible) months of their lives?”

PhD “Tassie Goth-Noir: Space and place as character in TV crime fiction”

PhD “Is the Personal Identity of Older Adults Impacted by Parasocial Relationships?”

Honours “Not Issued at the Q-Store: The Mental Health Effects of Military Life on The Military Wife”

Honours “Experiential History – Re-creating an historic garment for a regional museum”

Publications

Book Chapters

Hackett, Lisa J., Coghlan, Jo & Nolan, Huw (in press) “Killer Fashion: Clothes that Poison in Popular Culture”. Piatti-Farnell, L. (ed), Poison in Popular Culture: Representations, Aesthetics, and Meanings. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Rall, Denise N., Coghlan, Jo, Hackett, Lisa J. & Boyd, Annita (2022). “'Dressing Up’ two Democratic First Ladies: Fashion as political performance in America”. Rall, D. N. (ed.), Fashion, Women & Power: The Politics of Dress. Bristol: Intellect.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo, (In press). “Swimsuits as uniforms: Control and transformation of the athlete’s body”. Clothing Cultures.
Hackett, Lisa J., Coghlan, Jo & Huw Nolan, (In press). “Editorial”. Special Edition: “The Uniform: Power, Propaganda and Control”. Clothing Cultures
Lisa J. Hackett (2024). “Historic British Royal Memes: Revealing the Popular History of Past Monarchs”. [Royalty]: M/C Journal 27(1).
Jo Coghlan, Lisa J. Hackett & Huw Nolan, (2024). “Editorial: Royalty and Its Representation in Popular Culture: From the House of Windsor to the House of Saud” Special Edition “Royalty”: M/C Journal 27(1).
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo, (2023). “A Life in Uniform: The Public and Foreign Uniforms of Queen Elizabeth II, the Rainbow Queen”. Australasian Journal of Popular Culture, 12(2), 187-200.
Hackett, Lisa J. (2023) “‘Biography of the self’: Why Australian women wear 1950s style clothing”. Fashion, Style and Popular Culture 10(4). 513-537.
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo.(2023) “Conjuring up a King: The use of magic and ritual in the coronation of King Charles III”. M/C Journal 26(4).
Coghlan, Jo, Hackett, Lisa J. & Nolan, Huw. (2023). “Editorial”, International Journal of James Bond Studies 6(1).
Hackett, Lisa J.,Coghlan, Jo& Nolan, Huw. (2023). “James Bond, Gender Studies and Popular Culture Pedagogy: A Case Study”, International Journal of James Bond Studies 6(1).
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo. (2023). “Why Monopoly monopolises popular culture board games. M/C Journal. 6(2).
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo. (2023). “Editorial”, Uniforms [Special Edition] M/C Journal 26(1).
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo. (2023). “Parliamentary Dress: Gendered Contestation of the Political Uniform”, M/C Journal 26(1).
Wise, Nathan & Hackett, Lisa J. (2023). “The inculcative power of Australian Cadet Corps uniforms in the 1900s and 1910s”, M/C Journal 26(1).
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo (2022). “The Mad Kings of The Royals: Fashioning Madness in Royal Popular Culture Television”. Masculinities on Film [special edition], Film, Fashion and Consumption 11(1), 139-153.
Hackett, Lisa J. & Coghlan, Jo (2022). “Editorial”. Masculinities on Film [special edition], Film, Fashion and Consumption11(1), 115-119.
Hackett, Lisa J. 2021. “Sewing History - Consuming Culture”. Clothing Cultures 8(1).
Hackett, Lisa J., and Jo Coghlan. 2021. "The History Bubble: Negotiating Authenticity in Historical Romance Novels” M/C Journal 24 (1)
Hackett, Lisa J., and Jo Coghlan. 2021. "Editorial” Bubbles [Special Edition] M/C Journal 24 (1)
Hackett, Lisa J. 2021. “Designing for Curves: Size and Shape Elements of 1950s-Style Fashion”. M/C Journal. 24(4).
Hackett, Lisa J. 2020. “Diversity and Democratisation of Dior in Australia: Social Factors in Fashion Modification in the 1940-1950s.” Journal of European Popular Culture, 11, 21-35.
Hackett, Lisa J. 2020. “Dreaming of yesterday: Fashioning liminal spaces in 1950s nostalgia” Media/Culture Journal, 23.
Hackett, Lisa J. 2020. “The Neo-Pin Ups: Reimagining mid-twentieth century style and sensibilities”. Australasian Journal of Popular Culture, 9, 7-23.
Hackett, Lisa J. 2020. “Performing Nostalgia: Men's Consumption of 1950s Fashion”. Critical Studies in Men's Fashion. 7 (1-2), 155-175.
Hackett, Lisa J. 2019. “Addressing Rage: How women negotiate ethical dilemmas when purchasing clothing.” Media/Culture Journal, 22.
Hackett, Lisa J. & Rall, Denise N. 2018. “The Size of the Problem with the Problem of Sizing: How clothing Measurement Systems Have Misrepresented Women’s Bodies from the 1920s – Today”. Clothing Cultures, 5, 263-283.
Rall, Denise N., Coghlan, Jo, Hackett, Lisa J. & Boyd, Annita 2018. “'Dressing Up’ two Democratic First Ladies: Fashion as political performance in America”. Australasian Journal of Popular Culture, 7, 273-287.

Journal Guest Editor

Coghlan, Jo, Lisa J. Hackett & Huw Nolan (Eds.) (2024) “Sport in Popular Culture” Sport in Society.
Coghlan, Jo, Lisa J. Hackett & Huw Nolan (Eds.) (2024) “Barbie” M/C Journal 26 (3)
Huw Nolan, Coghlan, Jo, & Lisa J. Hackett (Eds.) (2024) “Like A Version: Adaptation, Reboots and Remakes in Popular Culture” [Special Conference Issue] Australasian Journal of Popular Culture
Coghlan, Jo, Lisa J. Hackett & Huw Nolan (Eds.) (2024) “Royalty” [Special Conference Issue] M/C Journal26 (1)
Hackett, Lisa J., Jo Coghlan & Huw Nolan (Eds.) (2024) “The Uniform: Power, Propaganda and Control” [Special Conference Issue]Clothing Cultures.
Coghlan, Jo, Lisa J. Hackett & Huw Nolan (Eds.) (2023) “The World is Not Enough: The Impact of James Bond on Popular Culture” [Special Issue] International Journal of James Bond Studies 6 (1)
Hackett, Lisa J. and Jo Coghlan (Eds.) (2023) “Uniform” [Special Issue] M/C Journal 26 (1)
Hackett, Lisa J. and Jo Coghlan (Eds.) (2022) “Masculinities on Screen” [Special Issue:] Film, Fashion and Consumption 11 (2)
Hackett, Lisa J. and Jo Coghlan (Eds.) (2021) “Bubbles” [Special Issue] M/C Journal 24 (1)

PopCRN Conference Host

History and Nostalgia: The 1950s in popular culture" (2025) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 28^th-29^th March.

“London Calling”: The British Capital in Popular Culture" (2024 PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 5^th-6^th December.

“I canna’ change the laws of physics”: Depictions of Science in Popular Culture" (2024)PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 16^th-17^th of October.

“Field of Dreams”: The Popular Culture of Sports" (2024) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 25^th-26^th July.

"Guilty Pleasures: Examining Crime in Popular Culture" (2024) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 2^nd-3^rd of May 2024.

“You Can be Anything: Imagining and Interrogating Barbie in Popular Culture” (2024) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 26^th-28^th May 2024.

"Like A Version: Adaptations, Reboots and Remakes in Popular Culture"(2023)PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 28^th November – 1^st December.

"‘Dieu et Mon Droit (God and My Right)’: Representations of the British Royal Family in Popular Culture"2023) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 28^th-29^th September.

"Flying High: Aviation in Popular Culture/Aviation Cultures Mark VII" (2023) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network & Aviation Cultures, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 20^th-21^st July.

"The Uniform: Power, Propaganda and Control" (2023) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 20^th-21^st April.

"If We Could Talk to the Animals: Representations of Fauna in Popular Culture" (2022) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 6 October.

"The World is Not Enough: The Impact of James Bond on Popular Culture" (2022) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 26 May.

"Will You Be My Valentine? Romance, Love, and Lust in Popular Culture" (2022) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 10^th February.

"Halloween and Everything In Between" (2021) PopCRN: The Popular Culture Research Network, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 28^th October.

External Profiles

Further Information

Honours and Postgraduate areas of interest include:

Popular Culture
Media Sociology
Gender
Fashion
Uniforms
Crime in popular culture
Material Culture of Fashion