Dr. Portolan’s expertise is not just for the page or the screen; she is a dynamic and highly engaging live speaker. Her ability to blend rigorous academic research with sharp cultural insight and accessible storytelling makes her a sought-after figure for keynote addresses, panels, and workshops. Her event calendar includes prestigious engagements like being a key speaker in the , where she has brought conversations about love, sex, and intimacy into one of the world’s most iconic cultural venues.
Lisa Portolan is a prominent Australian researcher and author whose work focuses on the intersection of digital intimacy dating apps , and modern romantic narratives . Her PhD thesis from Western Sydney University
Her doctoral work focuses on —the concept that dating app interactions are often fragmented and dissatisfying rather than fluid.
Unpacking "Slow Love": How Lisa Portolan’s PhD Thesis Transformed Into a Hit Podcast and Film Event lisa portolan phd thesis podcast film event best
: She hosts this series, which discusses moving away from "fast" dating app culture toward more meaningful connections.
✨ Secure your seat to witness how the modern thesis moves beyond the page.
Podcasts have become the primary medium for Portolan to translate her complex academic findings into relatable advice. Here are the best episodes to listen to: Unpacking "Slow Love": How Lisa Portolan’s PhD Thesis
Complex institutional ideas are broken down into engaging, 30-minute episodes.
Lisa Portolan’s doctoral work examines how digital platforms—specifically dating apps—reshape our understanding of love, rejection, and self-worth. Moving beyond the "swipe culture" stereotypes, her thesis explores the labor of intimacy. Digital intimacy and the sociology of dating apps.
Co-hosted with Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Sydney – “Swiping the Gallery: Art, Apps, and Attention” – where attendees used dating app mechanics to interpret artworks, followed by a panel on visual self-presentation. lisa portolan phd thesis podcast film event best
: Dr. Portolan is also the insightful host of the Slow Love podcast, which was listed as a top ten podcast in 2020. This platform allows her to explore themes of intimacy and connection at a more deliberate, reflective pace.
: She hosted this top-ten series, which documented the unique challenges of dating and maintaining intimacy during the global pandemic.
Lisa Portolan: Thank you for having me!