Phoebe O’Leary
- School: School of English, Drama and Film
- Supervisors: Dr Paul Halferty and Prof. Emilie Pine
Ephemeral Acts, Enduring Memories: HIV/AIDS and the Performance of Cultural Memory
Phoebe's research explores the cultural memory of the AIDS crisis in Ireland. Focusing on Irish theatrical and visual cultures, her work seeks to expose the legacy of AIDS within a culture of “post-crisis”. Through her dissertation, Phoebe aims to offer a richer understanding of the AIDS crisis's complex legacy and its continued influence on contemporary queer performance. Her research not only examines the historical impact of the crisis but also how it informs current discussions around queer identity and biopolitics. By analysing new forms of biopolitical embodiment and the representational challenges of undetectability, her work provides valuable insights into the ongoing cultural dialogue around health, identity, and memory. Phoebe holds an MSc in Sexuality and Gender from the University of Amsterdam and an MPhil in Performance Studies from Trinity College Dublin.