Research Assistant: Explorations of True Crime Consumption Beyond the Female Fear Paradigm

Introduction to the topic

True crime has evolved into a massively popular media genre, spanning books, podcasts, documentaries, and social media. Its appeal is especially notable among women, leading scholars to suggest it functions as a form of survival education — offering stories of danger, caution, and empowerment. These narratives often center female victims and allow audiences to engage with fears in a safe, controlled environment.

However, this prevailing explanation may overlook the complexity of true crime consumption. Academic and cultural discourse frequently pathologizes women’s interest in the genre, framing it through lenses of fear, trauma, and emotional vulnerability. In contrast, male-oriented consumption of violent nonfiction media — such as war documentaries, military podcasts, or serial killer fandoms — receives little critical attention and is instead framed as rational, informative, knowledge-seeking, and intellectually curious, and is seldom examined for its emotional or gendered implications.

This imbalance suggests a deeper problem: while true crime studies often aim to critique gendered representations, they may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes of passive femininity and emotional excess. Meanwhile, male spectatorship is normalized as rational and factual.

Project details

This qualitative research project investigates how gender shapes the consumption and interpretation of real violence-oriented media. The project has a three-part aim, with each component interconnected to build a comprehensive critical inquiry into gender, violence, and media consumption — addressing gaps in true crime scholarship. It aims to challenge dominant narratives in both academic and popular discourse that disproportionately pathologize female interest in true crime, while comparatively neglecting male engagement with real violent content.

The expected outcome is the production of at least one scholarly article that critically rethinks dominant gender narratives in true crime research and broadens the conceptual framework for understanding violent media consumption beyond the “female fear” paradigm.

Selected relevant publications

Morgan R (2025). True-Crime Television: An Analysis of the Experiences of Female Viewers (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/0026fb03130fdda608f1b3518b837110/1?pq‑origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Slakoff DC, Duran D (2023). A new media frontier, or more of the same? A descriptive analysis of the “missing white woman syndrome” in top true crime podcasts. Race and Justice. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/21533687231199271
Vicary AM, Fraley RC (2010). Captured by true crime: Why are women drawn to tales of rape, murder, and serial killers? Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1(1), 81–86. doi: 10.1177/1948550609355486

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be listed here as soon as it is available.

This is a draft syllabus. The final syllabus will be available here a few days prior to the new course’s first start date.

Additional research application required

You will need to submit an additional research application through Student Registration in order to enroll in this course.

To submit your research application, you must already be admitted to DIS.

All research application materials must be submitted on the following dates by 23:59 Central European Time:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your additional research application through Student Registration.

If you are not already enrolled, use this link to apply to DIS before completing a research application.

Faculty

Array

Sara Hellqvist Bailey

Faculty

PhD Candidate, Dept. of Criminology, Stockholm University. MPhil, Dept. of Psychology, Stockholm University. PhD candidate in criminology, Dept. of Criminology, Stockholm University, present; Research coordinator and assistant, Dept. of Special Education, Stockholm University, present; Project coordinator for access-to-justice projects, 2021-2023. With DIS since 2025.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic

Project details

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be listed here as soon as it is available.

Additional research application required

Faculty

Sara Hellqvist Bailey

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?