Harry Dyer

social media and learning, sociology, technology, education, technology and learning, social media, youth and digital technology, identity online, digital research methodology, digital ethics, actor-network theory, post-structuralism, social media and education, Flat Earth communities

Video: Incorporating & accounting for Social Media in Education | Harry Dyer | TEDxNorwichED

Harry is a digital sociologist and lecturer in Education at the University of East Anglia. His research explores the impact of digital technology on culture, public knowledge, and education. This has included exploring the use of YouTube Kids by 0-5 year olds, unpacking how AI is shaping young people’s perceptions of their futures, and examining the rise of ‘flat earth’ communities. Most recently, his work has been published as a monograph with Springer Nature (2020) titled ‘Designing the Social’.

He serves in a number of roles supporting research and scholarship around technology, culture, and education. He is a joint lead orgainser of Social Media and Society, editor of Digital Culture and Education, co-convener of the British Sociological Association’s Digital Sociology Group, Thematic Chair for Digital Social Sciences at SeNSS, and Course Director of the BA Education suite of courses at UEA.  

Given his broad academic background, Harry's research and teaching interests are equally broad and interdisciplinary. They include, digital sociology, identity theory, social theory, science and technology studies, research methodology, ethics, poststructuralism, comic book studies, and media and education. He teaches both undergraduate and postgraudate students.

Harry's current research is in the field of Digital Sociology, in which he looks at the online identities of young people, unpacking how the social media shapes the ways in which young people understand and engage with the world around them. His work particularly focuses on the relationship between user, platform design, and technology, proposing a new theoretical framework through which to consider identity performances online.

He received UEA’s 2016 award for PGR public engagement, and is a big believer in discussing his research publicly. He has give TED talks and other public seminars, written for The Conversation, appeared in local, national, and international newspapers, appeared on podcasts, and can often be found discussing research on Twitter/X.

Harry is currently working on a number of projects, including research early years use of video sharing platforms, online identity presentation for young people, conspiracy movements online, and the role of technology in transitions to higher education.

• Media co-ordinator for the School of Education and Lifelong Learning
• Digital Champion for the School of Education and Lifelong Learning
• Course Director of the BA Education suite of courses in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning
• Thematic Chair for Digital Social Sciences at UEA and SeNSS

• Joint lead orgainser of Social Media and Society
• Editor of Digital Culture and Education
• Co-convener of the British Sociological Association’s Digital Sociology Group

Digital sociology, social media, youth and digital technology, identity online, digital research methodology, digital ethics, actor-network theory, post-structuralism, social media and education, Flat Earth communities, socio-cultural dynamics online 

Educational theory, social theory, social media, digital sociology, media and culture, comic book studies, ethics, social science methodology

Critical Culture Studies in Education