Current Role

Programme Leader Visual Communication, University of Bolton 2009-2023 (retired)

 

Research and Writing

 

June-August  2023 Co-curated international exhibition Kitwe to Bolton for UoB, due for display September 2023.

July 2021 Nazraeli Press are due to launch Mike Kenna's latest monograph titled Northern England 1983-1986 for which I was commissioned to write an introductory essay.

July 2020 I presented a research paper expanding on the work developed through the exhibition Photographing the English North (1890-1990)

March 2020 saw the launch of the exhibition Photographing the English North (1890-1990). The project involved the work from 7 national and international photographic collections and collaboration with UoB who awarded funding for the project (Jenkinson Award) and Bolton Museum who kindly hosted the exhibition. This will be proceeded by a future series of research-related activities based on the theme of 21st Century Northern Voices  to be presented by July 2021. Funding awarded again from UoB (Jenkinson) as well as planned future external funding.

September 2018 Exhibition, in which I part-curated, including elements of my work alongside an international display of mixed-media work related to the Bolton School of the Arts at Bolton Museum Art Gallery.

June 2017 Organiser of the first UoB Northern Photography Symposium featuring Prof. John Kippin, Dr. John Darwell, Mandy Barker and Open Eye Gallery curator Thomas Dukes..

March 2017-April 2019 Impact Case Study supporting a Playwright Mary Cooper From Shore to Shore.

September 2014 Exhibition, Publication and Public Engagement; But Not Forgotten HLF and Arts Council funded exhibition at Leeds City Museum, which was the showpiece of the 2014 commemoration of the First World War. It was created from a research intervention between myself, curator Lucy Moore and writer Mary Cooper, taking the museums collection and presenting imagined narratives, film, poems, photographs and multimedia presentations.

 

Professional Activities

 

2002; Lincoln University, external consultant for programme development for FdA Image Based Photo Media

2003/7; Lincoln University, external examiner for programme FdA Image Based Photo Media

2004/5; Leeds Metropolitan University, validator for Regional University Network (RUN) FdA scheme.

2005/6; Leeds Metropolitan University, Programme development Leader BA Photography and Digital Imaging

2006/7; Leeds Metropolitan University, validator for Harrogate College FdA Scheme

2008/9; Leeds Metropolitan University, Programme Development Leader MA Lens-Based Photo Media

2011/12; University of Bolton, Programme Development Leader BA Photography

2013-2015; Chester University; External Examiner for BA (HONS) Photography.

 

 

2014 University of Derby School of Art Revalidation External Panel Member.

2014-18 Book Reviewer Laurence King, Routledge and Focal Press titles.

2018 Bradford College Faculty of Arts Link Tutor

2019 Member or research group The Centre for Worktown Studies

 

Previous Posts

 

2000-2009 Programme Leader for the MA Image and Time-Based Media, BA (Hons) Photography and Digital Imaging at Leeds Beckett University.

1991-2000 Professional, fine art and documentary photographer, film maker and artist and part time lecturer, Northern Britain and London (roles included co-managing projects with charities and healthcare groups such as MIND Runcorn, HiTS, Halton Council Youth clubs, Galen research)

1989-1991 Photographer, Radius Photographic, London

1982-1985 Photographic technician, printer and hand enlarger, Ness Visual Technology, Widnes.

 

Awards

 

2012 The International Photographic Awards (IPA) Highly Commended; Professional Fine Art Category

 

Funding Grants

 

2019 Project funding for Impact Case Study: Worktown Festival (Centre of Worktown Studies) through Jenkinson Fund/ Marketing Fund UoB

2014 Partnership Project and exhibition with Leeds City Museum funding from HLC and Arts Council England

2009 Exhibition grant funding from Leeds City Museum via Arts Council England.

1999 Grant funding for a twelve-month commission ‘Lune Views’ from Publics Arts, Wakefield

1995 Funding grant from Ellesmere Port Borough Council.

1994 Funding grant from National Rivers Authority

1993 Open Eye Gallery Touring Exhibition Grant

1993 Funding grant from Manchester Ship Canal Company

1992 Northwest Arts Business Start-up Grant

 

Professional memberships

 

HEA (member) Nb. Currently completing SFHEA award.

Association for Photography in Higher Education (member)..

University of Bolton, School of the Arts Visual Communication Area Industry. Advisory Board Founder and Chair. This role is designed to ensure students industry readiness through visits, placements, lectures, exhibitions and all currently relevant industry-related activities.

 

Consultancy

 

2019 School of the Arts Exhibition Committee Senior Member

2019 University of Bolton School Board Member

2007/8 Leeds City Museum Marc Riboud Exhibition Committee Steering Panel Member.