OpenLearn Profile

Darren Langdridge

Darren Langdridge

Department of Psychology

Professional biography
Professor of Psychology and Sexuality, School of Psychology Darren is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a disciplinary background in psychology working across a number of areas. His work on sexualities has sought to allow the voices of those concerned to be heard and he has played a central role in redefining the frontiers of research on the psychology of sexualities. He has conducted empirical work on a variety of topics that were hitherto on the margins of this field, most notably on consensual sadomasochism (BDSM) and gay parenthood. Most importantly, however, Darren’s work on sexualities has allowed him to prosecute an argument about the divisive nature of political change in sexual citizenship and how the boundaries are being continually policed with ‘inventive’ new claims of threat to the established social order. Darren has produced and taught a very large number of modules across a range of topics in psychology, psychotherapy and the social sciences more broadly. Recent substantive contributions include his work in opening up an entirely new area of study at the OU in counselling. This includes the production of a number of modules in counselling, a practice oriented Foundation Degree and a recently launched joint honours degree in psychology and counselling. His teaching has specifically included work on social movements and LGBT equality.