Lisa Portolan Phd Thesis Podcast Film Event Best -
Born out of her PhD fieldwork during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the podcast captures raw and authentic stories of intimacy during a global crisis.
Her collaboration with Ruth Borgobello originally sparked at the Italian Film Festival in Canberra, where Borgobello’s film The Space Between was being showcased.
Beyond her research, Dr. Portolan is a prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction. Dr Portolan (@lisaportolan) • Instagram photos and videos lisa portolan phd thesis podcast film event best
Dr. Lisa Portolan is a leading academic, author, and researcher whose work navigates the complex intersection of digital intimacy, romance, and modern technology. Her contributions have bridged the gap between rigorous scholarly research and popular culture, making her a prominent voice in discussions about how dating apps have fundamentally reshaped human connection.
She has argued in The Guardian that modern cinema—such as Marriage Story and The Worst Person in the World —has moved away from saccharine "happily-ever-after" tropes toward themes of relationship anxiety and psychological satire. Born out of her PhD fieldwork during the
A central concept in her research is a term she coined to describe the cyclical and often frustrating relationship users have with dating apps. Her work suggests that while users seek the security of a "romance masterplot," the infrastructure of these apps often fails to deliver, leading to a state of "romantic dread" where dating feels more like a task to manage than a story unfolding. The "Slow Love" Podcast
Translating her academic findings into a narrative format, Dr. Portolan co-created the Slow Love podcast alongside filmmaker . Portolan is a prolific author of both fiction
Dr. Portolan’s academic research at and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) focuses on the impact of dating apps on intimacy and romance. Her PhD thesis explores how these platforms reproduce or subvert traditional heteronormative dating paradigms.
It documents the shift from physical dating to virtual connections, highlighting the vulnerability people showed when traditional dating avenues were closed. Film and Pop Culture Events