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Resume

 

 

A qualified teacher with a solid research background, industry experience and a teaching portfolio. I am interested in developing a career which combines teaching, research and publication alongside my writing. For a list of my publications, please go here.

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Education

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PhD Candidate Creative Writing

University of Essex (2019-2024)

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CHASE funded practice-based research on creative nonfiction, autobiography and biography. Creative nonfiction text intertwines the life of Edwardian Fraudster Harry Bensley and personal memoir. Critical commentary on: female autobiographers including Margery Kempe, Mary Wollstonecraft and Julie Myerson; and the ethical implications when writing about family. Supervisor: Professor Elizabeth Kuti. 

 

MA Creative Writing (distinction)

University of Essex (2012-2014)

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Modules included Memory Maps and The Tale: Tellings and Retellings with Dr. Marina Warner; New Nature Writing with Dr. James Canton; Poetry with Dr. Phillip Terry: and a Writing Workshop with Dr. Adrian May. ’ My final was a piece of autofiction (a blending of autobiography and fiction) and a critical commentary on the autofiction process and narrative manipulations. Dr. May called it ‘a moving achievement of unusual depth and intelligence.’

 

PGCE Drama

University College of London, Goldsmiths. (1996 - 1997)

 

Modules included: classroom management; syllabus delivery; producing and performance in schools. I undertook two long-term placements at Plaistow School and Blackheath Bluecoats. This latter placement led to a contract teaching A’ level students undertaken while I was finishing my PGCE.

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Drama BA (hons) 2.1 

University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. (1988 - 1991)

 

 

A’ levels: Geography A, English Literature B, Politics and Government B.

KGV VI form College, Southport.  (1986-1988)

 

8 O’ levels, including Maths and English Language and Literature.

Greenbank High School, Southport. 1981-6 

 

 

Teaching Experience

The Writers Company, Wivenhoe (2008 - present)

www.thewriterscompany.co.uk

 

Teaching as a private creative writing practitioner since 2008. In the last six years I have created a company to offer my courses and those designed by my affiliates. We now teach over 200 students and offer a diverse curriculum including script, prose, poetry and publishing workshops. We also offer one-to-one services and manuscript assessment. We have our own YouTube channel  (@thewriterscompany) which offers mini-tutorials. My responsibilities include teaching, assessment supervisor, administration, accounts, content creation and social media coordination. During this time I have run contracts with the WEA, University of Essex Health and Social Care, LockArts and Inside Out: mental health charities. I have also been the Writer in Residence for Inside Out and a Creative Mentor.

 

Assistant Lecturer of Writers Toolbox

Essex University (2023-24)

 

Teaching undergraduates the building blocks of creative writing: theme, structure, language, and metaphor. I assessed  coursework using LiFTs department criteria, and worked with Moodle and other university systems.

 

Lecturer of Creative Writing Theory and Practice

Essex University (2015- 2017)

 

While working on the above, I also taught four terms of LT209. We covered: Defamiliarisation, Imagism, Structuralism, Oulipo, Intertextuality and Surrealism. I set and assessed their coursework using LiFTs criteria and worked with Moodle and other university systems.

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Supply Teacher for Sefton County Council (2006 – 2008) including long-term supply in Special Needs School, Merefield.
 
Head of KS3 English Meols Cop Secondary School, Southport. (2001-2006)
 
Drama Teacher at Welling Secondary School, Kent (1997 – 2000)
 
Teacher of English. Apple Academy and Inlingua, Murcia, Spain. (1994- 1996)
 
Director of language school. Miyoshi, Japan. (1991 - 1993)

 

 

Conferences and presentations

 

  • CHASE Encounters Conference: How Covid disrupted and changed my creative practice. December 2022

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Professional associations

  • Royal Society of Authors

  • Lapidus International - writing for well-being

 

Other qualifications

  • TESOL Certificate, Sheffield Hallam University. (September 1991)

 

Volunteering

  • Postgraduate Representative for LiFTs University of Essex Research Committee.

  •  Charity fundraiser putting on events to raise money for: Ukraine, YES, the Wivenhoe Mayor’s Fund and Crisis Counselling Sri Lanka. (2002- present).

  • Editor of numerous anthologies including ‘Paths Made for Walking’ (2018), Inside Out Materials (2012 - 2017) and ‘The Red Thread’, a collaboration with Greek and English writers. (2012)

  • Innovator, chair and coordinator of ‘Wiv Words’: Wivenhoe’s first literary festival. (2012)

  • Adopter of station and Co-founder of www.offtherailswivenhoe.net – a community group based at Wivenhoe Railway Station, dedicated to showcasing the town’s art and literature talent. (2009-2011)

 

References

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