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Dr Tahlia-Rose Virdee

Positions held:
  • Lecturer, School of Social Sciences
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  • Overview

    Overview

    Biography

    Tahlia-Rose Virdee joined Birkbeck as an Associate Lecturer in Criminology, focused on teaching the undergraduate Power, Policy and Social Change module in April 2025. Tahlia completed her PhD studies at the University of Reading in April 2025.

    Her PhD research was titled: ‘Beaten into the Margins: The Governance and Knowability of BDSM and Kink Sexualities in England and Wales’. This project comprised a critical analysis of social and legislative intervention regarding alternative sexual and intimate expression, with a focus on Criminal Law, harm, consent, bodily autonomy, and the limitations of ABH and GBH offences in England and Wales. Further, this research sought to provide practical jurisprudence outcomes and policy development recommendations against the shifting socio-legal landscape concerning sexualities. The development of these recommendations highlighted current issues with consent under the Criminal Law of England and Wales, and presented potential avenues for limiting the reach of the ‘rough sex defence’ in instances of homicide.

    In relation to her PhD research, Tahlia is in the process of publishing a series of journal articles and book sections on BDSM, legal consent and the potential of more equitable practical jurisprudence outcomes for BDSM and Kink Communities. Tahlia is also seeking to develop her PhD thesis into a monograph in the near future.

    Although Tahlia is a socio-legal scholar, prior to joining the faculty at Birkbeck Tahlia primarily taught Criminal Law at both the University of Reading and Royal Holloway, University of London. She also has experience teaching Criminology, Research Methods for social scientists, Social Policy, and Gender and Law content.

    Tahlia was promoted to Lecturer in Criminology in June 2025, and began her full-time role in September 2025.

    Tahlia is a proud activist and advocate, having worked with several pressure groups, charities and intersectional interest groups both as a volunteer and in the course of her research, including the Bishopsgate Institute, Stonewall, and Backlash UK. From March 2023 to September 2024, Tahlia was the PGR Co-Chair and Co-Spokesperson of the University of Reading’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, alongside chair of the network, Dr Ruvi Ziegler. In this role Tahlia led the rebranding of the network, formalised the steering group structure and internal governance of the network, increased PGR membership and support, broadened the network’s calendar of LGBTQIA+ observation days, developed an Allyship initiative, and contributed to supporting staff and students who had experienced harassment and discrimination.

    As Secondary Researcher on the ‘LGBTQ+ International Academic Mobility’ project focused on safeguarding LGBTQIA+ Staff and Students from UK HEIs travelling internationally, Tahlia co-produced the LGBTQ+ International Travel Tool with Dr Frances Hamilton, during her PhD Studies. This online toolkit continues to develop, following further research and has been acknowledged by the UK government’s Department for Education, several UK HEIs, the University and Colleges Union, and Advance HE.

    Tahlia also was an Independent Academic Researcher and Management Committee Member for pressure group Backlash UK from 2017 - 2023. Whilst in this role, Tahlia assisted with the delivery of Consent workshops, and conducted independent research, including research on Freedom of Expression concerns regarding the Digital Economy Act (2017) and the issues with age verification measures to be enforced on pornography in England and Wales.

    Qualifications

    • AFHEA, Advance HE, 2022
    • PhD in Law , University of Reading, 2025
    • MSc Social Research, Goldsmiths, University of London , 2018
    • BSc Criminology and Sociology , Royal Holloway, University of London, 2017

    Web profiles

    Administrative responsibilities

    • Co-Programme Director - BSc Criminology and Criminal Justice

    Honours and awards

    • Nominated for 'Teaching Excellence Award', Royal Holloway, University of London , September 2025
    • Research Impact Award, University of Reading , September 2024

    ORCID

    0000-0002-0851-9945
  • Research

    Research

    Research interests

    • Criminal Law
    • Consent, bodily autonomy and freedom of expression
    • BDSM/ Kink communities and subcultural identity management
    • LGBTQIA+ rights and safeguarding
    • Sex, crime and deviance
    • Alternative and [un]intelligible intimacies
    • Domestic abuse, Intimate Partner Violence and the ‘rough sex defence’
    • Social policy

    Research projects

    LGBTQ+ International Academic Mobility Project

  • Supervision and teaching

    Supervision and teaching

    Supervision

    I welcome enquiries from Postgraduate taught students who are interested in undertaking research in any of my areas of research interest.

    Teaching

    Tahlia’s approach to teaching focuses on cultivating spaces which encourage individuals to think critically about the content, particularly challenging hegemonic discourses which generate and maintain inequality and marginalisation. Tahlia aims to act as a compass and companion to learning, allowing for learners to develop their own understandings of complex criminological and socio-legal phenomena and processes. Tahlia is concerned with ensuring that students feel safe, heard and respected when contributing to classes.

    Teaching modules

    • Analysing Public Policy (LACN013S7)
    • Contemporary Criminological Theory (LACN021S7)
    • Research Methods and Practice (LACN031S5)
    • Crime and Law (LACN032S5)