I am currently in the final stages of the submission pending year of my PhD in Archaeology at the University of Manchester. Previous to this I was living and working on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia as an au pair, but returned to England after being offered a research PhD position.
Alongside my PhD, I have undertaken a ‘Researchers in Residence’ internship at Archives+, where I worked with their large collection of sound archives. The aim being to work out a way for the sound archives to become an integral multi-sensory element of the Archives+ exhibition in the Manchester Central Library. I have also for the past 3 years been employed by the University of Manchester as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, leading seminar groups in various undergraduate courses.
Prior to my PhD and living in Australia, I undertook a joint honours BA in Archaeology and Anthropology and an MA in Archaeology, both also at the University of Manchester. I then moved to Bristol and enjoyed a year of beautiful Georgian architecture, working in retail and saving money to go travelling!
I currently live just on the edge of the northern quarter in Manchester with my boyfriend and two cats called Luci and Othello. When I am not tucked behind my laptop editing thesis chapters, I can generally be found exploring heritage and archaeological sites around the UK and sometimes further afield. I am also a keen baker and cook, occasional knitter and yoga enthusiast.
Projects
- PhD Research ProjectMy PhD research examines the potential role of weather in the experience of heritage, specically stone and masonry monuments in the UK. It also explores the tensions between the desire to manage and control weathering processes and the experiential values associated with weather and weathering. The project combines various qualitative methodologies, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Interviewees include heritage and conservation professionals, intere
- Archaeology Research Seminar Series (2017-2018)During the summer of 2017, I was enlisted to organsie the Archaeology Departments (University of Manchester) research seminar series for the 2017/2018 academic year. Within this role, I was expected to: invite potential speakers and special guests, organise the seminar event diary, design posters using Adobe InDesign for each talk which were then advertised in physical form as well as on social medias, manage the departmental social media platforms, introduce speakers at the beginning of their t
- 'Our Ancoats'Archives+ is a purpose built exhibition to showcase Manchester and the surrounding areas archives and local history. In 2015 Archives+ received a large collection of sound archives from the British Museum, which needed to be integrated into the existing exhibition. Through the Researchers in Residence scheme, I was been charged with creating a project that explored and consequently exhibited how the sound archives could be enjoyed and utilised in conjunction with the other archives. This involve
Work history
T
T
ResearcherThe University of Manchester
Manchester, United KingdomFull Time
My PhD research examines the potential role of weather in the experience of heritage, specically stone and masonry monuments in the UK. It also explores the tensions between the desire to manage and control weathering processes and the experiential values associated with weather and weathering. The project combines various qualitative methodologies, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Interviewees include heritage and conservation professionals, interested amateurs and non-professional publics in order to gather a range of viewpoints produced in response to specific case study sites. These qualitative approaches will hopefully allow for analysis and reflection on the complex range of beliefs and social practises that influence the way heritage sites are conserved, experienced and understood.
T
T
TeacherThe University of Manchester
- Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UKFreelance
I have just finished teaching as a graduate teaching assistant on an undergraduate course entitled 'Living and Dying in the Ancient World', due to the academic teaching year coming to an end. Prior to this year, I previously worked as a seminar leader for this course in 2016. I did not undertake any teaching in 2017, as I wanted to focus on getting the fieldwork component of my PhD completed. As part of this role, I was expected to design lesson plans that introduced a new topic each week prior to students attending the lecture as well as creating engaging task-based learning activities that allowed students to reflect on their required weekly reading. Another key part of my role as a GTA was to mark the coursework submitted by the students in my seminar groups. Students submitted a cumulative weekly 300 word portfolio submission and one 2000 word essay, which I was then expected to mark and provide feedback. I was also expected to be the first port of call if any of the student’s in my seminars needs support on any aspect of the course.
+ Show more
Skills
- Academic Research
- Analysis and Research
- Qualitative Research
- Creative Research
- Academic Writing
- Article Writing
- Cultural Heritage
- Public Speaking
- Ethnographic Research
- Event Administration
Education
T
T
PhDThe University of Manchester
Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
I am in the final stages of my PhD and am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of redrafting my thesis. During 2016 and 2017, I undertook fieldwork at a range of rural heritage and archaeological sites around the UK examining the impact and role of weather on stone monuments and historic buildings. Over the next month, I will be undertaking final edits to my thesis, submitting it and then consequently attending my viva.
T
T
1st Class MA Archaeology of IdentityThe University of Manchester
- Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Grade: 1st/Distinction
My masters dissertation research sought to explore how uses of touch can improve understanding of the ‘past’ and experiences of ‘authenticity’, by creating an in-depth analysis of the sensorial qualities of touch that are used when handling objects. I argued that senses of touch allow people to have a greater sensorial engagement with the past and consequently went on to argue that experiences of ‘authenticity’ can be further improved by using multiple senses together.
+ Show more