Nicola Streeten Plowman

Nicola Streeten (also using the name Nicola Plowman) is an anthropologist-turned-illustrator and comics scholar. Her graphic memoir, Billy, Me & You, (2011, Myriad Editions) received a British Medical Association Award in 2012. Her PhD research is the cultural history of British feminist comics 1970-2016.

The written history of British comics includes scant reference to women’s activity in comics. My research will make an original contribution to knowledge by addressing this omission, within the context of feminist theory and practice. Whilst not aiming to document the entire history of British women’s comics, the parameters are determined by a concentration on British feminist comics from 1970-2016. The emphasis of the research is on how the comics form has been used by feminists to respond to the socio-political contexts in which they are immersed. A particular focus is on the role of humour in the dissemination of serious messages. The research will include analysis of how comics have used humour to address issues such as rape and abuse.