Gauntlett graduated from the University of York in Sociology in 1992. He completed an MA in Women's Studies at Lancaster University then took his PhD and then taught at the University of Leeds from 1993 to 2002, then was appointed Professor of Media and Audiences at Bournemouth University. In 2006 he joined the School of Media, Arts and Design at University of Westminster as Professor of Media and Communications, becoming Co-Director of the Communications and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), from 2010-2015. From 2015-2017 he was Professor of Creativity and Design, and the Director of Research for Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design.