Statement
Lisa Matthews is a published poet, professional writer and creative writing academic with over 12 years experience of teaching poetry, prose and creative writing in educational environments spanning post-graduate studies to primary schools. Lisa runs her own small business, a creative agency called The/Poetry/Fold which specialises in using creative writing as training and CPD resources in diverse environments including the healthcare and education sectors. The/Poetry/Fold delivers writing courses to writers of all abilities and Lisa is passionate about the role of creative writing across academic disciplines and industry sectors.
As a poet Lisa is well established and respected in the north east region, the UK and beyond. She is currently completing her third full collection of poetry and working on a variety of prose projects. Her current academic lines of research/enquiry include a exploration of the human voice with Newcastle and Manchester Universities; photo/poetry public engagement project with Edinburgh University; a writing residency on the Words Talk initiative with Northumbria University and is acting as a consultant for the Gender and Sexuality Research Network at Durham University. All of these research projects are at various stages of development, some not due to start – at the earliest – until 2012/3.
Weblinks
Academic and writing work: www.stoneandsea.co.uk
Business and freelance work: www.poetryfold.co.uk
Qualifications
- MA Creative Writing (Distinction) Northumbria University
- BA Hons English & History (2:1) Northumbria University
- A-level English Language
- A-level English Literature
- A-level History
- O levels x 6: English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Geology, Divinity, Food & Nutrition
Appointments Held
- 09/ 11 – present day
- Mslexia Publications Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne
Guest writer on Mslexia website. I write a bi-monthly online column entitled “Songbursts” which explores the intersection between the lyrics of female songwriters and elements of creative writing, discipline, technique and pedagogy.
- 10/06 – 07/11
- Newcastle University, PEALS Research Institute
Research Associate, lead artist and programme manager of the Stemistry sci-art Project. Co-inquiry and public engagement initiative exploring diverse creative writing techniques and methods that allow non-experts to explore complex sciences and how they relate to their everyday lives.
- 01/10 – 07/11
- Northumbria University, School of Health, Education & Community Studies
Creative Writing consultant delivering CPD modules to staff in the School of Health, Education & Community Studies as part of their reflective practice initiative, “Words Talk”.
- 02/11 – 07/11
- Dame Dorothy, Redby & Seaburn Dene Primary Schools
Writer in Residence for a major Sunderland City Council, Roker Regeneration Project. Using creative writing techniques to help students engage with their seafront environment and explore local myths and legends using creative writing techniques.
- 01/09 – 03/11
- Mslexia Publications Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne
Feature writer, “Songbirds” column about women songwriters and lyrics as a legitimate literary art form and source of inspiration top creative writings working in al forms/genres.
- 01 – 06/10
- Gem Arts, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Text/photography project with BME women at the Angelou Centre. Newcastle. Innovative creative techniques used to help explore the notion of female Muslim identity in relation to photography and visual arts.
- 01 – 06/09
- Customs House Theatre, South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Writer in Residence working with theatre staff and local residents, using creative writing techniques – in a structured programme of workshops and local site visits – to unearth and articulate community “sense of place” narratives to be used as part of the “Coat for a Boat” exhibition at the Customs House Gallery.
- 11/08 – 10/09
- Monkwearmouth Specialist Arts College, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Writer in Residence delivering study sessions exploring abstract concepts of “Respect” and “Creativity” and how these relate to the students’ lives. Supported students in performing and editing skills.
- 01 – 07/07
- New Writing North and Tyne and Wear Museums
Lead artist and Writer in Residence on the “Museum of My Life” community engagement project, working with a visual artist at Monkwearmouth Station Museum and with two local community groups: KS4 students from Monkwearmouth School and a group of Bengali women learning English as a second language. A variety of creative writing techniques were used to create an exhibition at the museum.
- 09/02 – 02/07
- Newcastle University, School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics AND
- Northumbria University, English Literature, Linguistics and Creative Writing
Creative Writing Tutor (undergraduate) researching, developing and delivering Creative Writing modules, programmes and workshops. Wide experience of attendant administration, grading and moderation of course work, as well as delivering individual tutorials for students.
- 01/98 – 12/02
- Various freelance/self-employed contracts including:
- Writer in Residence at BBC North East (1-year, 2002)
- Marketing & Advertising Manager, Mslexia Publications Ltd (04/00-12/01)
- Administrator, Mslexia Publications Ltd (06/98-03/00)
- 09/92-05/98
- Library Assistant (part time) at Business & Sciences Reference Library, Newcastle Central Library
- 06/93 – 08/92:
- Library Assistant rising to Information Officer in the Patents Information Network, Newcastle Central Library
Voluntary Work
- 01/97 – 08/01
- Co-founder & Manager of The Blue Room, a performance and publication initiative for emerging north east women writers.
- 1998 – 2006
- Co-founder & Chair of Proud Words the UK’s only creative writing festival run by and for LGBTIQ people in the north east region.
Experience of working in research contexts
- 09/08 – 08/09
- Fellow of Literature & Science, NCLA, Newcastle University
Coordination of the sci-art hub SciTalk (www.scitalk.org) an online resource bringing creative writers and scientists together in a supportive, mutually beneficial and inspiring self-directed environment. Also advised NCLA on sci- art/Medical Humanities programming and research.
- 09/06 – 08/07
- Arts Fellow, Beacon North East, Newcastle University
Research into creative programming between various regional arts and scientific organisations, institutions and individuals. Creative brokerage and exploration of new processes of enquiry and engagement in sci-art collaborations.
- 01/04 – 09/06
- Writer in Residence/Project Manager, “How Gay Are Your Genes?”, Newcastle University, PEALS Research Institute
Wellcome Trust-funded sci-art project collaborating with over 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) people from local communities that took place in a 2.5-year programme of writing workshops, public lectures and debates and collaborative sessions with academics and clinicians. Final outcome: a major exhibition of film and creative writing at The Hatton Gallery. Collaboration with artist Predrag Pajdic to produce multi- media exhibits. As Project Manager I was responsible for budget, in-house recruitment, research, programming and delivery of approx 50% of the workshop/lecture programme.
- 03/02 – 08/04
- Royal Literary Fund Fellow (RLF), PEALS, Newcastle University
Based at three sites: PEALS and the Medical Schools of Newcastle and Durham Universities. 18-month tenure that researched and delivered innovative creative writing techniques in sci-art and community contexts in the disciplines of genetics and biotechnology. Undergraduate teaching with third year medical students – created unique Medical Humanities modules “Novels, Poetry & Medicine” and “Imaginative Writing & Medicine”. Delivered lectures at both academic sites and wrote and delivered a 18-month programme of creative writing events and workshops with local community groups.
Selected Publications / Disseminations include
Books:
The Deadheading Diaries, (Dogeater Press, 2007), full-length poetry collection/book
Postcards from a Waterless Lake, (Diamond Twig Press, 2001), full-length poetry collection/book
Journals:
- 01/09-04/11
- Songbirds column in Mslexia Magazine.
- 7 major features exploring creative techniques used by major women songwriters/composers.
- 1996-2001
- Single poems, sequences and extracts published in major UK-based poetry publications including The Rialto, Printers Devil, Writing Women, Virago Anthology of New Women Writers, Scratch & The North.
Research Grants / funding:
- NESCI, BBSRC, MRC & JRF – Stemistry
- Wellcome Trust (CoPus) – How Gay Are Your Genes?
- Arts Council of England, Heritage Lottery Fund, Community Chest, Big Lottery Fund, Newcastle & Gateshead city councils – Proud Words LGBTI creative writing festival
- Arts Council of England – The Blue Room
- British Academy & Newcastle Literary & Philosophical Society – “The Poetry Experiment”
