Recent News
Three images, L to R: first, an open Macbook displays a Microsoft Word document with black Times New Roman on a white background, reading "UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara | Consent Trouble: Kink, Intimacies, and Performance | A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies by Heath Pennington"; second, the Routledge logo, reading "Routledge" in dark blue capital letters on a side-orientation down the left hand side, with two simplified profiles of faces stacked on the right hand side, the nearer in white against the farther in matching dark blue; and finally, the Distinguished Service Award for Advancing Teaching Excellence, written in black on a white background and describing the achievements that led to me receiving the award, with signatures from members of the UCSB Center for Innovative Teaching, Research, and Learning along the bottom.
What I've been up to in 2026:
I started the month of January back home for the holidays, visiting friends and colleagues in NY and CA while working on postdoctoral and teaching position applications. I then traveled to London to complete the second-to-last phase of my PhD research. I was thrilled to be so close to completion of this seven-year project.
February began with my presentation "Intimacy Coordination and Consent in Times of Crisis" at the Gender and Sexuality Research in Times of Crisis symposium organized by the CHASE Gender and Sexuality Research Network. The one-day symposium was a fantastic chance to connect with UK-based researchers. The month then saw me traveling in Spain, visiting the highlights of Andalusia including Málaga, Jerez, Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba, and Granada to observe performances for dissertation research. I spent time working on my final chapter, and refreshing my Spanish while enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of the region.
In March, I returned to the UK to undertake the final stage of my doctoral work, moving to wrap up my UK-based case studies and research connections.
April was dedicated to completing my dissertation as well as finishing the first draft of a forthcoming book chapter for a Routledge edited collection. More news on that soon.
In May, I prepared intensively for my dissertation defense while wrapping up the final pieces of my UK collaborations and research work. Many thanks to the scholars, collaborators, and brilliant minds with whom I worked to carry out this lengthy, involved, and rewarding research project! I can't wait to continue the conversation on consent, facilitation, and interpersonal communication as I explore my next steps in and beyond academia!
In June, I passed my dissertation defense with no corrections, marking the completion of my doctoral studies! I am delighted to now be Dr. Heath Pennington, PhD. This photo shows me with my dissertation committee, whom I collectively titled "Team Heath," in the celebratory, smiling moment immediately after my chair announced my new title. In the upper left is Dr. Leo Cabranes-Grant; in the upper right is me; in the lower left is Dr. Jennifer Tyburczy (my chair); and in the lower right is Dr. Joy Brooke Fairfield.
In July and August, I immersed myself in the theater and performance scene in New York City, dove into my new job with Guidewell Education / ESM Prep as a Senior College Coach, and settled into life on the East Coast while taking some much-needed rest after completing the PhD.
In September, I will present my paper "Beside the Scenes: Intimacy Coordination and the Labour of Care" with the Performance, Identity, and Community working group at the Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA) annual conference at Queen Mary University of London. I will attend and present online, joining the conference from New York City, and I am grateful to the TaPRA organizers for their choice to offer a hybrid format.
My evergreen course "Intro to BDSM and Kink for ICs" continues to be available through the Intimacy Professionals Association. Learn more and sign up here.
Stay tuned for new developments in 2026, including publications, teaching, and conferences!
* * *
Connecting with likeminded people is always lovely. If you research kink, gender, consent, critical race, and/or intimacy, please reach out using the Contact page
To read news from 2025 and earlier, visit my Archive section.
Links:
Peruse my Intimacy Coordination and Intimacy Direction website
Add me to your network on LinkedIn
Connect with me on Twitter/X
Check out my IMDb
I started the month of January back home for the holidays, visiting friends and colleagues in NY and CA while working on postdoctoral and teaching position applications. I then traveled to London to complete the second-to-last phase of my PhD research. I was thrilled to be so close to completion of this seven-year project.
February began with my presentation "Intimacy Coordination and Consent in Times of Crisis" at the Gender and Sexuality Research in Times of Crisis symposium organized by the CHASE Gender and Sexuality Research Network. The one-day symposium was a fantastic chance to connect with UK-based researchers. The month then saw me traveling in Spain, visiting the highlights of Andalusia including Málaga, Jerez, Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba, and Granada to observe performances for dissertation research. I spent time working on my final chapter, and refreshing my Spanish while enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of the region.
In March, I returned to the UK to undertake the final stage of my doctoral work, moving to wrap up my UK-based case studies and research connections.
April was dedicated to completing my dissertation as well as finishing the first draft of a forthcoming book chapter for a Routledge edited collection. More news on that soon.
In May, I prepared intensively for my dissertation defense while wrapping up the final pieces of my UK collaborations and research work. Many thanks to the scholars, collaborators, and brilliant minds with whom I worked to carry out this lengthy, involved, and rewarding research project! I can't wait to continue the conversation on consent, facilitation, and interpersonal communication as I explore my next steps in and beyond academia!
In June, I passed my dissertation defense with no corrections, marking the completion of my doctoral studies! I am delighted to now be Dr. Heath Pennington, PhD. This photo shows me with my dissertation committee, whom I collectively titled "Team Heath," in the celebratory, smiling moment immediately after my chair announced my new title. In the upper left is Dr. Leo Cabranes-Grant; in the upper right is me; in the lower left is Dr. Jennifer Tyburczy (my chair); and in the lower right is Dr. Joy Brooke Fairfield.
In July and August, I immersed myself in the theater and performance scene in New York City, dove into my new job with Guidewell Education / ESM Prep as a Senior College Coach, and settled into life on the East Coast while taking some much-needed rest after completing the PhD.
In September, I will present my paper "Beside the Scenes: Intimacy Coordination and the Labour of Care" with the Performance, Identity, and Community working group at the Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA) annual conference at Queen Mary University of London. I will attend and present online, joining the conference from New York City, and I am grateful to the TaPRA organizers for their choice to offer a hybrid format.
My evergreen course "Intro to BDSM and Kink for ICs" continues to be available through the Intimacy Professionals Association. Learn more and sign up here.
Stay tuned for new developments in 2026, including publications, teaching, and conferences!
* * *
Connecting with likeminded people is always lovely. If you research kink, gender, consent, critical race, and/or intimacy, please reach out using the Contact page
To read news from 2025 and earlier, visit my Archive section.
Links:
Peruse my Intimacy Coordination and Intimacy Direction website
Add me to your network on LinkedIn
Connect with me on Twitter/X
Check out my IMDb
© 2026 by Heath Pennington. All Rights Reserved.
