Emma Evelyn Roberts

Dr. Emma Roberts is Associate Dean for Global Engagement for the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. In addition, she is Reader in History of Art and Design and Programme Leader of BA (Hons) History of Art and Museum Studies / Foundation Year in History of Art and Museum Studies.

She completed a Ph.D. on Barbara Hepworth in 1997 (University of Liverpool). Roberts has lectured on all aspects of History of Art and Design for twenty years, and has written three academic books- Who Do You Think You Are? The Asia Triennial Manchester, 2018 (2019), The Public Sculpture of Cheshire & Merseyside (2012) and The Liverpool Academy: A History and Index (1997) - as well as a number of journal articles and conference papers, and has also curated exhibitions.

Published chapters or journal articles include: ‘Liberating Form: Barbara Hepworth’s United Nations Memorial’ in Sculpture (2001); ‘Neglected Catalysts. The Function of Drawings and Paintings in Barbara Hepworth’s Oeuvre’ in Apollo (2003); ‘Barbara Hepworth within an International Context’ in Tate’s Barbara Hepworth Reconsidered (2003) and ‘Representation and Reputation: Barbara Hepworth’s Relationships with her American and British Dealers’ (2013) in Tate Papers On-Line. Her 2010 book was nominated in April 2013 for the ‘William M. B. Berger British Art History Prize’ for the best British Art History publication.

Her research is disseminated widely outside the academic arena, including by: being interviewed for BBC Radio 4; being a regular Visiting Lecturer at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum; presenting lectures to cruise ship passengers and other groups and associations due to being represented by several entertainment agencies. The focus of Roberts’ research lies in three areas: public sculpture; maritime history and design and Utopian, ‘New Urbanist’ architecture and environments.