Dawn is Associate Professor of Religion and Gender in Theology and Religious Studies. Her research is grounded in qualitative approaches to the study of religion and gender, and she draws mainly on sociological perspectives to examine gender and feminism in contemporary Christianity and new spiritualities. She has published on women’s religious reading practices, the relationship between religion and gender, feminist generations, research methodologies, and motherhood and voluntary childlessness.

Following her undergraduate studies in philosophy and systematic theology (Edinburgh), and an MA in Women's Studies (Lancaster), Dawn completed her doctorate in Religious Studies at Lancaster. She soon joined Theology and Religious Studies at Chester shortly after, in November 2010, and is delighted to be part of this lively and collegial learning community.

Dawn enjoys engaging with wider audiences about her research. She is part of the steering group for ‘Storyhouse Women’ and co-founded its annual ‘Storyhouse Childless’, which she curates and hosts. She has featured several times on BBC Radio programes like Beyond Belief, Sunday, All Things Considered, and The Sunday Show and contributes regularly to Voice of Islam, and podcasts.

She is currently Chair of Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service, a local charity, and is a member of several academic organisations, and regularly contribute to their annual meeting and conferences: British Sociological Association, and the British Society for the Study of Religion, and Faith Lives of Women and Girls. Dawn is the current co-convenor of BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group,