CPD & Training
Professional development strategies that employ creative techniques to bring out the best in participants is one of my main interests and is the beating heart of my own creative agency, The/Poetry/Fold. I have worked as a consultant and workshop leader in a variety of non-writing/non-literary environments using words and language as training and CPD tools. The intention is always to make the professionals involved better at what they do. During CPD sessions the focus is always specific to the professionals involved.
Creative Writing in Education
Working as a Writer in Residence in schools (primary or secondary) is a dream job. You get to work with passionate students and experience educational professionals. Experimentation with words, language and a more creative forms of expression are emphasised and students and staff are encouraged to stretch themselves and try out new poetic forms and writing techniques. With a solid understanding of the national curriculum all my work in schools is meant to encourage creativity while leaving a creative legacy to be built on and developed. I am very interested in working with educational professionals on the collaborative process itself and welcome enquiries from curious HTs, DHTs and teachers on how best to bring a professional writer into a school.
Medical Humanities
The poetic diction and register of pain and illness (patient and clinician perspective).
Patient narrative as diagnostic tool.
The empirical/narrative intersection in healthcare environments and the value of anecdote and experiential data in healthcare education environments.
The use of creative writing and creative writing techniques in healthcare curricula and educational contexts.
Sci-art
I am very interested in cross-School and cross-Institution collaborations and have built up considerable expertise in science education using the science/art (sci-art) model of public engagement and co-inquiry. As a Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellow (Newcastle University 2002-04) I have worked with medical educators, with medical students in HEIs and with clinicians keen to hone and develop their reflective practice. The RLF tenure was an innovative and prestigious role within the Academy and was the start of a interesting sci-art and Medical Humanities journey.
One of my major sci-art achievements is the Stemistry project. Use the link to visit the website and see the unique work we do.
Following on from the hugely successful 3-year Wellcome Trust funded project How Gay Are Your Genes? I am keen to find new research and artistic partners working in areas of sexuality and sexual identity in science, art and creative writing.
Creative writing pedagogy
How do you teach a person to write? Can it be done? Can creativity be packaged into educational bundles? Obviously I believe it can be but I am very interested in working with other academics to explore and critique creative writing pedagogy.
Creative Writing & Business
The/Poetry/Fold has ambitions to branch out into the world of business and I am keen to talk to HR professionals, CEOs, Directors and Business Owners looking for innovative strategies to incorporate into their CPD and HR programmes. The/Poetry/Fold’s core mission is to use words. language and creative techniques as CPD tools and that doesn’t have to mean just within educational settings.
