A Longford academic a part of the co-editing of landmark handbook

Dr Deirdre Flynn, a Longford native and lecturer in 21st Century Literature, has co-edited a landmark handbook that offers a comprehensive global analysis of how mothers and motherhood are represented across contemporary screen industries and digital platforms.

She worked alongside Dr Susan Liddy, a Limerick native and lecturer in Media and Communication Studies, on the project.

‘The Routledge Handbook of Motherhood on Screen’ is the first of its kind to bring together international research on the subject.

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Featuring 33 chapters from 41 contributors from across the globe, the handbook explores portrayals of motherhood across film, television, animation, streaming platforms and even digital influencer culture.

The project, by the two Mary Immaculate College (MIC) academics, which took nearly three years to complete offers a wide-ranging and ground-breaking contribution to screen studies, gender studies and digital culture

Dr Flynn and Dr Liddy co-wrote the introduction, while Dr Liddy also authored Chapter 11, ‘Representations of Later Motherhood in Irish Film’.

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The chapter examines two contemporary Irish films - A Bump Along the Way (2019) and Joyride (2022) - that focus on motherhood at the age of 40. Through textual analysis and interviews with the films’ female writers and directors, it explores how these stories challenge stereotypical portrayals of Irish motherhood, ageing and female sexuality in cinema.

Speaking about the publication, Dr Deirdre Flynn said: “We have 41 contributors from across the globe, from Ireland to India, discussing streaming, film, TV and even mom-fluencers.

This is a comprehensive study of mothers and motherhood on screen which offers important insight into the topic with chapters discussing fertility, menopause, queer families, alternative motherhoods, porn, and scrutinises different cultural notions of 'good' and 'bad' mothering on screens.”

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Dr Deirdre Flynn, who is from Killashee, added, “Working with my co-editor Susan has been a real joy - she brings a wealth of experience from the screen industries which brought a holistic perspective to the whole project."

Dr Flynn is also an inaugural member of the Young Academy Ireland at the Royal Irish Academy and coordinates both the BA in

English and Drama and the MA in Modern English Literature at MIC.
‘The Routledge Handbook of Motherhood on Screen’ is available to purchase in hard copy or eBook format at www.routledge.com