Sex, Scandal and Celebrities: Valentine’s Special

Join Dr Mari Elin Wiliam for a Valentine’s Special exploring how – way before Love Island - celebrities’ pursuit of love and desire often led to scandal, sensationalism and controversial morality debates. Taking case studies from 20th century Britain and America, the session will argue that celebrity scandals are far more than just escapist ‘gossip’. In fact, they’re deeply useful in revealing attitudes towards sex, gender and LGBTQ+ issues. Using photographs, historical newspapers and interviews we’ll be discussing scandals spanning Jazz Age flappers, Hollywood stars, royalty and, unavoidably, a few philandering politicians as well.

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Speaker:

Dr Mari Wiliam Lecturer in Modern History, Bangor University

Mari Wiliam chose to study History at Bangor University because of her passion for the subject, which she continues to enjoy. Over 20 years since beginning her undergraduate studies (followed by an MA and PhD), she remains at Bangor as a Lecturer in Modern History and Welsh History, a position she has held since 2013. Her teaching and research focus on the period from the late Victorian era to the early 21st century, with key interests in Welsh national identity and the history of everyday life. Her modules cover diverse topics such as nationalism, gender, the monarchy, nuclear industries, and even the history of tattoos and food. Current modules include Wales in the Modern World, Britain in the Jazz Age, and Raving in the 1990s, while at MA level she coordinates Global Wales. Mari, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, teaches in both Welsh and English. She is writing a monograph on north-east Wales (1950–1962), collaborates on oral history projects through ISWE, and researches nuclear communities in north Wales. She also engages with the public through talks and contributions to radio and television on topics such as the monarchy and nationalism. She supervises PhD students researching mountaineering, right-wing nationalism, rural settlements, and women in agriculture. Administratively, she serves as History Admissions Tutor and History/Heritage Coordinator for the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

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