Dr Sian Barber
Reader in Film Studies
School of Arts, English and Languages (AEL)
Dr Barber is an expert in film and popular culture, film controversy, censorship, and British cinema.
Her research focuses on film history, British cinema and British film censorship, particularly the work of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Dr Barber also works on audiences and popular cinema as well as fandom, exhibition and all aspects of film controversy.
Field
Film and DramaAreas of Expertise
Film and Cinema, film controversy and censorship, film and popular culture, nostalgia, and fandom.
Media Experience
Dr Barber has experience with radio, print and digital media.
Notable coverage
- BBC Radio 4, Film memorabilia and its importance (July 2025)
- The Guardian, Fiddle-laden fake trailer reignites debate about Hollywood’s Irish stereotypes (July 2025)
- BBC News NI, The Batman: Belfast only city in UK to give new film a 15A rating (March 2022)
- The Guardian and Observer, No sex please: how Northern Ireland was united by ‘evil’ films (June 2019)
