Dr. Ballou is a lecturer in Drama & Theatre Arts at Kingston University, London.
She holds a PhD in feminist comedy from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Her approach to PaR has been cited as exemplary. She facilitated the mainstage of Wikimania 2014 at the Barbican Centre, curated events for London Comedy Forum, delivered papers at the International Society for Humor Studies, Performing Gender conference, and has published various articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as humour in McSweeney's. (See publications page)