Teaching Philosophy

As an educator, I strive to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage critical and analytical thinking. My teaching philosophy blends academic rigour with accessibility, ensuring students feel both challenged and supported. By creating inclusive learning environments, I aim to empower students to find their voices and engage with the world in meaningful ways.

At the heart of my teaching is the belief that storytelling is a transformative tool—not just a subject of study, but a means of understanding and shaping the world. Whether analysing a text, composing creative work, or exploring media, I encourage students to see how stories reflect, challenge, and transform cultures.

“Teaching is about encouraging students to ask bold questions, take creative risks, and think critically about the narratives that shape our world.”

Courses Taught

My teaching spans English Literature, Creative Writing, and Media and Communication, with a focus on fostering engagement, interdisciplinary thinking, and creative exploration. Here are highlights of my contributions:

English Literature and Creative Writing

  • Forms of Narrative: Explores the mechanics of storytelling across novels, poetry, drama, and film. Students engage with diverse texts like Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel and Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson while participating in creative workshops. I often integrate my “photo-sketching” technique to help students draw narratives from visual prompts.
  • Introduction to Literary Studies: Introduces students to foundational literary analysis, exploring texts like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Duchess of Malfi within their historical and theoretical contexts.
  • Personal Development Sessions: A skills-based module that combines academic and creative writing practices with workshops designed to build confidence and narrative techniques.

Other topics I have taught include:

  • Victorian serial fiction by Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell.
  • The intersections of literary modernism and expat writing, exploring James Joyce and Katherine Mansfield.
  • The ecological themes of Gerard Manley Hopkins, particularly in relation to the Anthropocene.

Media and Communication

  • Research in Practice: Engages students in critical thinking, research methods, and media analysis. Topics include Mediating 9/11, Digital Necromancy, and the implications of generative AI in academia.
  • Mediated Identities: Examines how media constructs identity across race, gender, class, and age. Students explore themes like queer theory, class representations, and fragmented identities.
  • Life Online: A critical exploration of digital ethics, participatory culture, and transmedia storytelling. Students tackle subjects like surveillance capitalism and AI-driven creativity.

Additional modules I’ve contributed to include:

  • Media, Culture, and Society: Investigates media’s social implications, such as simulacra, hyperreality, and digital resurrection.

What My Students Say

Hearing directly from students is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching. Here are some of their reflections:

“Thanks to you, I have transformed from a shy duckling to a brash swan. Your positive reinforcement and guidance helped me find confidence in my ideas, develop an academic voice, and excel in my assignments.”
“Your thoughtful choice of supplementary texts enriched my learning and inspired me to see narratives in a new light.”
“You are more in touch with us students than many of the other lecturers I have interacted with during my time at university.”
“Your encouragement inspired me to write haikus and poems I never thought I could create. Your feedback has become invaluable to me.”
“You identified issues with the course materials and presented creative alternatives. Every one of these texts opened my eyes to new ways of thinking.”

These testimonials highlight my commitment to fostering confidence, curiosity, and creativity while building meaningful connections with students.

Innovative Teaching Methods

My teaching integrates research and creative practices, offering students unique ways to engage with narrative and visual culture. Key innovations include:

  • Introducing “photo-sketching” as a tool for both creative and analytical writing.
  • Designing module components that explore fragmented identities through primary and secondary research.
  • Mentoring students in postcolonial identity, creative nonfiction, and alternative narrative forms.
  • Connecting theory with practice using thinkers like Roland Barthes, Walter Benjamin, and Susan Sontag.

Creating workshops on micro-fiction, fragmentary narratives, and alternative storytelling methods.

“I aim to create inclusive, engaging spaces where students feel empowered to explore their voices and challenge the status quo.”

Mentorship and Beyond

Beyond the classroom, I am dedicated to guiding students in their academic and creative pursuits. Whether supporting them through challenging concepts or encouraging bold new ideas, my goal is to foster confidence, curiosity, and growth.

Get in Touch

Whether you’re intrigued by my teaching methods or seeking mentorship, I’d love to hear from you.

I am open to:

  • Collaborations: Opportunities for joint academic or creative projects.
  • Mentorship: Supporting students and emerging writers in honing their skills and confidence.
  • Workshops: Designing and delivering tailored sessions on creative writing, storytelling, or media studies.

Feel free to contact me to discuss how we can work together.