Stella Pennell gained her PhD in sociology from
Massey University in 2020. Her PhD research "Trouble in paradise: contradictions in platform capitalism and the production of surplus by
Airbnb hosts in regional tourist towns" explores the production of subjectivity in Airbnb hosts in Aotearoa New Zealand, the impacts of biopolitical messaging by the Airbnb platform on hosts lived experiences, and the production of surplus meaning and surplus enjoyment by hosts as they attempt top make sense of their engagement with platform capitalism Pennell gained her Masters in sociology (with Distinction) in 2016. The Masters research titled "Escape to the Beach: Pre-retirement in-migrants' narratives of change, place and identity" explores the subjectivity of the pre-retiree (50–65) cohort who relocate within Aotearoa New Zealand, with focus on sense-making of place and identity. Her Bachelor of Arts (psychology/sociology) was awarded in 2014, and she was awarded the title of "Massey Scholar", conferred on undergraduate students who achieved in the top 5% across the university for that year. She currently teaches into the core BA programme at Massey University, Albany, and the sociology programme in the School of People, Environment and Planning (Massey University). Stella Pennell is currently the secretary of the Sociological Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (SAANZ). ==References==