Matthew Sparkes is an Assistant Professor in Sociology and a Director of Studies and Fellow in the Human, Social, and Political Sciences at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge.
Matthew's research is centred on examining neoliberal political economy, its origins and associations with financialisation, and the class, gender and cultural dynamics of these processes. His work makes use of a variety of research methods, and cuts across social science scholarship in sociology, cultural studies, economics, politics, geography, and labour history.
Currently, Matthew's research interests lie in two main strands. The first strand focuses on the way politicians and the media utilise narratives to influence policy, particularly in moments of crises, and the consequences of these processes. The second, and more dominant, strand extends his enquires into social stratification processes within credit markets, and how they shape social inequalities.
Before entering academia, Matthew worked as a Debt Advisor for StepChange Debt Charity. He earned his PhD in Sociology and MA in Social Research at the University of York, and his BA in Sociology from Leeds Metropolitan University.
May 15, 2024 07:26 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
There are 8.5 million households in the UK who own a home with a residential mortgage, often with fixed interest rates from two to five years. Usually, when that mortgage deal ends, the borrower will move to another deal...
Credit payment holidays reduced the mental health effects of debt during COVID – new research
May 23, 2023 15:09 pm UTC| Health
Like other countries, the UK implemented a number of initiatives to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on peoples economic circumstances. While we know these schemes supported household finances, now were...