Professor of Creative Practice
I am the research lead for the School of Media and Creative Industries. I also chair the cross-university Education for Sustainable Development Working Group, which is embedding the UN Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs) into the curriculum. My colleagues and I were recently shortlisted for a 'Green Gown' Award for our sustainability initiatives in arts and creative industry subjects.
I am an artist, writer and educator, perhaps best known for ‘blending’ printmaking and glass/ceramics for creative use and my books on the subject. My recent creative practice focuses on drawing, painting, and printmaking inspired by movement through landscape, attention to nature and the work of novelist and philosopher Dame Iris Murdoch (1919–1999). My research and projects are currently aligned to UN SDGs: 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, 4 Quality Education, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, 14 Life below Water, 15 Life on Land.
Teaching and supervision
I mainly teach PhD students and offer lectures and workshops across subjects in the School of Media and Creative Industries. I was MA Glass and MA Ceramics Programme Leader for nine years, as well as BA Glass and Ceramics Programme Leader for a period.
My contribution to teaching and especially postgraduate support has been recognised with the award of a National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. I was also Head of the School of Art and Design for six years before taking up my current role.
I am passionate about supporting students to use their creativity to make positive contributions to society and to follow their career goals. Creating opportunities for students is a key focus for me. I do this through projects like Artists Access to Art Schools (AA2A), The Artists Futures Fund Breakthrough Fellowships, Sunderland Creatives Agency, and designing scholarships such as the 'Robson Art and Design' and 'Global Leaders'.
Research interests for potential research students
I am a very experienced PhD supervisor and have examined PhD students in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, and Australia.
My students have researched varied topics, for example, aspects of printmaking for glass and ceramics, water-jet cutting, and cultural perspectives. I have supervised several international PhD students, and in particular students from China.
I am always happy to consider research proposals in the area of art and design
Research
My research has previously focused on methods of printmaking for glass and ceramics. I have published two books on this subject 'Glass and Print' and 'Ceramic Transfer Printing'. Other publications include a chapter on the prints of Erwin Eisch – a seminar figure in the studio glass movement and chapters for books on learning and teaching.
More recently, I have focused on bringing together critical writing on glass and ceramics and have co-edited 'The Ceramics Reader' published by Bloomsbury and I am currently working on 'The Glass Reader'. My artwork focuses on drawing and painting as well as glass and ceramics.
- Creative Practice
- Art and Design
- Practice-based PhD research
- Glass and ceramics
- Drawing and printmaking
- Critical writing
- Painting
- National Teaching Fellow
- Member of the Association of National Teaching Fellows
