Dr Mair Underwood
Dr

Mair Underwood

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52963

Background

Mair Underwood is an anthropologist in the School of Social Science who specialises in bodies. In particular she explores how body modifications (such as tattoo or bodybuilding) are used to create, reflect and disrupt social boundaries such as those of gender and class. She is especially interested in the social lives of image and performance enhancing drugs: how they acquire meaning through social interactions and how they alter social interactions.

She also has an interest in assessment practice and has conducted research into assessment techniques that promote student engagement and academic integrity and compiled them into a searchable database called the UQ Assessment Ideas Factory

Mair is passionate about community engagement and engages with the community through her YouTube profile and podcasts such as this one with VPA Australia https://www.vpa.com.au/podcast

Mair Underwood coordinates two courses:

SOSC2190 Human Bodies, Culture and Society

SOCY1060 Gender, Sexuality and Society: An Introduction

Availability

Dr Mair Underwood is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Anthropology Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Gender studies Health Sciences Human Society Sociology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • bodybuilding

    I am currently conducting participant observation amongst recreational (i.e. non-competitive) bodybuilders.

  • tattoo

    I am interested in how tattoo is used to construct and negotiate social boundaries such as gender and class.

  • body

    I am interested in the social and cultural aspects of human bodies.

  • body modification

    I am particularly interested in the various ways that people modify their bodies such as tattoo, bodybuilding, cosmetic procedures, weight loss or gain, and genital surgeries.

  • online ethnography

    I am currently conducting an online ethnography of recreational bodybuilders.

Research impacts

Mair Underwood has written numerous academic publications which have been cited by world experts. She prioritises community engagement featuring in the media regularly, and participating in panel discussions for varied audiences.

Mair Underwood has produced 15 papers and two book chapters including two sole aiuthor and 4 first author papers. Fifty per cent of these papers are in ERA ranked A or A* journals and over 50% of these journals have impact factors of 2 or higher. Since her PhD she has presented at three national and two international conferences (one of the latter by invitation to Cambridge with all expenses paid by the conference). Her journal publications have been cited 96 times (Google Scholar) with an average of 6.8 citations per paper. Despite her short research career her h-index is 5 (Google Scholar). Her recognition as a body expert by the community has led to dozens of print, radio and television features, as well as invites to speak to various audiences outside of academia.

Search Professor Mair Underwood’s works on UQ eSpace

34 works between 2005 and 2024
All (34) Journal Article (24) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 34 works

2024

Journal Article

‘Project Monster’: Exploring Projects of Monstrification in Bodybuilding Communities

Underwood, Mair and Sellberg, Karin (2024). ‘Project Monster’: Exploring Projects of Monstrification in Bodybuilding Communities. Body & Society, 30 (4), 57-84. doi: 10.1177/1357034x241293037

‘Project Monster’: Exploring Projects of Monstrification in Bodybuilding Communities

2024

Journal Article

From ‘bro, do you even lift?’ to ‘bro, do you even science?’: How the relationship between science and broscience can inform the development of allied image and performance enhancing drug harm reduction

Underwood, Mair (2024). From ‘bro, do you even lift?’ to ‘bro, do you even science?’: How the relationship between science and broscience can inform the development of allied image and performance enhancing drug harm reduction. Performance Enhancement & Health 100291, 100291. doi: 10.1016/j.peh.2024.100291

From ‘bro, do you even lift?’ to ‘bro, do you even science?’: How the relationship between science and broscience can inform the development of allied image and performance enhancing drug harm reduction

2023

Conference Publication

Interrogating power, stigma and autonomy in the context of testosterone self-medication

Dunn, Matthew, Piatkowski, Timothy, Underwood, Mair, Forlini, Cynthia, Mulrooney, Kyle J. D. and Van de Ven, Katinka (2023). Interrogating power, stigma and autonomy in the context of testosterone self-medication. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

Interrogating power, stigma and autonomy in the context of testosterone self-medication

2023

Journal Article

In the absence of marriage: social and religious-based relationships as alternatives to marriage for never-married adults in Indonesia

Himawan, Karel Karsten, Bambling, Matthew, Underwood, Mair and Edirippulige, Sisira (2023). In the absence of marriage: social and religious-based relationships as alternatives to marriage for never-married adults in Indonesia. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 26 (4), 396-420. doi: 10.1080/19349637.2023.2253443

In the absence of marriage: social and religious-based relationships as alternatives to marriage for never-married adults in Indonesia

2023

Book Chapter

Taking ‘the god of all steroids’ and ‘making a pact with the devil’: online bodybuilding communities and the negotiation of trenbolone risk

Underwood, Mair (2023). Taking ‘the god of all steroids’ and ‘making a pact with the devil’: online bodybuilding communities and the negotiation of trenbolone risk. Doping in sport and fitness. (pp. 111-136) edited by April Henning and Jesper Andreasson. Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing Limited. doi: 10.1108/s1476-285420220000016007

Taking ‘the god of all steroids’ and ‘making a pact with the devil’: online bodybuilding communities and the negotiation of trenbolone risk

2022

Journal Article

Anabolics coaching: A necessary evil?

Underwood, Mair (2022). Anabolics coaching: A necessary evil?. Performance Enhancement and Health, 10 (3) 100233, 1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.peh.2022.100233

Anabolics coaching: A necessary evil?

2022

Journal Article

'The day you start lifting is the day you become forever small': Bodybuilders explain muscle dysmorphia

Underwood, Mair and Olivardia, Roberto (2022). 'The day you start lifting is the day you become forever small': Bodybuilders explain muscle dysmorphia. Health, 27 (6) 13634593221093494, 1-21. doi: 10.1177/13634593221093494

'The day you start lifting is the day you become forever small': Bodybuilders explain muscle dysmorphia

2021

Conference Publication

Designing Assessment to Meet Identity Verification (IVAH) requirements

Slade. Christine and Underwood, Mair (2021). Designing Assessment to Meet Identity Verification (IVAH) requirements. Teaching and Learning Week 2021, The University of Queensland, QLD Australia, 2 November 2021.

Designing Assessment to Meet Identity Verification (IVAH) requirements

2021

Journal Article

Human enhancement drugs: emerging issues and responses

Hope, Vivian D., Underwood, Mair, Mulrooney, Kyle, Mazanov, Jason, van de Ven, Katinka and McVeigh, Jim (2021). Human enhancement drugs: emerging issues and responses. International Journal of Drug Policy, 95 103459, 103459. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103459

Human enhancement drugs: emerging issues and responses

2021

Journal Article

The pharmaceuticalisation of ‘healthy’ ageing: testosterone enhancement for longevity

Dunn, Matthew, Mulrooney, Kyle J. D., Forlini, Cynthia, van de Ven, Katinka and Underwood, Mair (2021). The pharmaceuticalisation of ‘healthy’ ageing: testosterone enhancement for longevity. International Journal of Drug Policy, 95 103159, 103159. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103159

The pharmaceuticalisation of ‘healthy’ ageing: testosterone enhancement for longevity

2021

Journal Article

Being single when marriage is the norm: Internet use and the well-being of never-married adults in Indonesia

Himawan, Karel Karsten, Underwood, Mair, Bambling, Matthew and Edirippulige, Sisira (2021). Being single when marriage is the norm: Internet use and the well-being of never-married adults in Indonesia. Current Psychology, 41 (12), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s12144-021-01367-6

Being single when marriage is the norm: Internet use and the well-being of never-married adults in Indonesia

2020

Journal Article

Testing the boundaries: self-medicated testosterone replacement and why it is practised

Underwood, Mair, van de Ven, Katinka and Dunn, Matthew (2020). Testing the boundaries: self-medicated testosterone replacement and why it is practised. International Journal of Drug Policy, 95 103087, 103087. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103087

Testing the boundaries: self-medicated testosterone replacement and why it is practised

2019

Journal Article

The unintended consequences of emphasising blood-borne virus in research on, and services for, people who inject image and performance enhancing drugs: a commentary based on enhanced bodybuilder perspectives

Underwood, Mair (2019). The unintended consequences of emphasising blood-borne virus in research on, and services for, people who inject image and performance enhancing drugs: a commentary based on enhanced bodybuilder perspectives. International Journal of Drug Policy, 67, 19-23. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.11.005

The unintended consequences of emphasising blood-borne virus in research on, and services for, people who inject image and performance enhancing drugs: a commentary based on enhanced bodybuilder perspectives

2018

Conference Publication

"SLIN IS THE SAFEST AND MOST ANABOLIC HORMONE": EXPLORING BODYBUILDERS' USE OF INSULIN AS A PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE ENHANCING DRUG

Underwood, Mair (2018). "SLIN IS THE SAFEST AND MOST ANABOLIC HORMONE": EXPLORING BODYBUILDERS' USE OF INSULIN AS A PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE ENHANCING DRUG. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

"SLIN IS THE SAFEST AND MOST ANABOLIC HORMONE": EXPLORING BODYBUILDERS' USE OF INSULIN AS A PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE ENHANCING DRUG

2018

Journal Article

‘Manly tears exploded from my eyes, lets feel together brahs’: Emotion and masculinity within an online body building community

Underwood, Mair and Olson, Rebecca (2018). ‘Manly tears exploded from my eyes, lets feel together brahs’: Emotion and masculinity within an online body building community. Journal of Sociology, 55 (1), 144078331876661-107. doi: 10.1177/1440783318766610

‘Manly tears exploded from my eyes, lets feel together brahs’: Emotion and masculinity within an online body building community

2018

Book Chapter

'We're all gonna make it brah': homosocial relations, vulnerability and intimacy in an online bodybuilding community

Underwood, Mair (2018). 'We're all gonna make it brah': homosocial relations, vulnerability and intimacy in an online bodybuilding community. Digital intimate publics and social media. (pp. 161-176) edited by Amy Shields Dobson, Brady Robards and Nicholas Carah. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-97607-5_10

'We're all gonna make it brah': homosocial relations, vulnerability and intimacy in an online bodybuilding community

2017

Conference Publication

'BRO SCIENCE' AND MAINSTREAM SCIENCE: HOW BODYBUILDERS NEGOTIATE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER IN THEIR PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE ENHANCING DRUG HARM MINIMISATION EFFORTS

Underwood, Mair (2017). 'BRO SCIENCE' AND MAINSTREAM SCIENCE: HOW BODYBUILDERS NEGOTIATE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER IN THEIR PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE ENHANCING DRUG HARM MINIMISATION EFFORTS. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

'BRO SCIENCE' AND MAINSTREAM SCIENCE: HOW BODYBUILDERS NEGOTIATE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER IN THEIR PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE ENHANCING DRUG HARM MINIMISATION EFFORTS

2017

Journal Article

Exploring the social lives of image and performance enhancing drugs: an online ethnography of the Zyzz fandom of recreational bodybuilders

Underwood, Mair (2017). Exploring the social lives of image and performance enhancing drugs: an online ethnography of the Zyzz fandom of recreational bodybuilders. International Journal of Drug Policy, 39, 78-85. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.08.012

Exploring the social lives of image and performance enhancing drugs: an online ethnography of the Zyzz fandom of recreational bodybuilders

2016

Journal Article

"You are just an idiot for not doing any physical activity right now': Pre-service Health and Physical Education teachers' constructions of fatness

Varea, Valeria and Underwood, Mair (2016). "You are just an idiot for not doing any physical activity right now': Pre-service Health and Physical Education teachers' constructions of fatness. European Physical Education Review, 22 (4), 465-478. doi: 10.1177/1356336X15617446

"You are just an idiot for not doing any physical activity right now': Pre-service Health and Physical Education teachers' constructions of fatness

2015

Journal Article

Managing a marginalised identity in pro-anorexia and fat acceptance cybercommunities

Smith, Naomi, Wickes, Rebecca and Underwood, Mair (2015). Managing a marginalised identity in pro-anorexia and fat acceptance cybercommunities. Journal of Sociology, 51 (4), 950-967. doi: 10.1177/1440783313486220

Managing a marginalised identity in pro-anorexia and fat acceptance cybercommunities

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Including the voice of boys and young men in their well-being education
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    Investigating how boys and young men experience their digital lives
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2017 - 2018
    Understanding how and why image and performance enhancing drugs are used recreationally
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Developing a database of innovative assessment techniques to promote student engagement and deter academic misconduct
    UQ Teaching Innovation Grants
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Mair Underwood is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Mair Underwood directly for media enquiries about:

  • Ageing and body image
  • Ageing and cosmetic surgery
  • anabolic-androgenic steroids
  • Beauty and ageing
  • Beauty and society
  • Body image
  • Body modification
  • Bodybuilding
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • image and performance enhancing drugs
  • Life extension - community attitudes
  • Muscle
  • Scarification
  • Sexuality
  • Sociology of sport
  • Sport - sociology
  • steroids
  • Tattooing
  • Youth and body image

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au