School of Art, Design and Media (ADM)

I joined Portsmouth in 1989 and my current research interests centre on ‘Dress’, particularly the issue of visual constructions of gender and gender identity, and development and training for transgender visual construction. I work closely with a colleague from the NHS, Jane Butt, in developing an application of our research findings to complimentary therapy. I combine my research and teaching work with practical image consultancy through Khrysalis Image Consultant. I am currently working towards a PhD looking at gender inequalities in paid environments and the fluid nature of self-identity within a broader cultural, social and political paradigm. A key focus of the research is the rise of a therapy culture and the use of self-help to ‘improve’ the self. A further aim of this research will be to explore women’s workplace image constructs and to establish their effect on their career development.

Current Research

PhD Thesis^{[Back to top]}

Allen, L. (In preparation). Women in the workplace: can women’s appearance affect their careers? Unpub. PhD thesis. Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth.

Books^{[Back to top]}

Allen, L. (In preparation). The history of British drag. London and Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L. (In preparation). Cool jobs: a guide to employment for graduates in the creative industries. London: Trottman.

Publications

Books^{[Back to top]}

Allen, L. & Butt, J. (In press). Twenty vital keys to successfully coming out as a transvestite. London, New York, Toronto, Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L. & Butt, J. (In press). Know your style: the transvestite's guide to finding a great look. London, New York, Toronto, Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L. & Butt, J. (In press). A transvestite's companion: twenty steps to successfully 'Passing' as a woman in public. London, New York, Toronto, Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L. & Butt, J. (In press). 1001 feminine secrets for successful cross dressing. London, New York, Toronto, Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L . & Butt, J. (In press). She is me. London, New York, Toronto, Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L. & Butt, J. (In press). He is me. London, New York, Toronto, Sydney: Foulsham.

Allen, L. (In press). One stop guide to successful interviews. London: Trottman.

Newspaper/Magazine Articles^{[Back to top]}

I regularly contribute articles to The News, and have written for a number of women’s magazines as well as photographic and interiors/decoration magazines.

Websites^{[Back to top]}

I co-run Transvestite Temple, a global website for the transgender communities. Facilities include webinars UTube, blogging and professional support and advice. The website is currently live at http://transvestitetemple.smashingteam.com/, but will be migrating in April 2010.