Staff Profile | English Literature, Language and Linguistics

Introduction

I work in the field of children's literature, with a special interest in children's publishing and the development of children's literature since the mid twentieth century.  My work is focused around the cultural contexts for reading and the ways in which these shape literature: I am currently working on a new history of the UK's Carnegie Medal.

 Background

I completed my BA and MA work at Bristol University, moving to Newcastle for my PhD, which was part of a collaborative project between Newcastle University and Seven Stories, the Centre for Children's Books. Following completion of my PhD in 2010, I worked in part-time roles with the Open University and Newcastle University, before taking up my current post in 2011.

Roles and responsibilties

I am currently leader of Newcastle's Children's Literature Unit, one of the leading centres for research in children's literature in the UK. I also sit on the executive board of Newcastle's Centre for research in Children and Youth, which brings together the University's strengths in research on this area across all faculties.