Class of 2023
PhD
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
I did my undergraduate Diploma in Art and Design at Stourbridge College of Art in the late 1960s, and went on to teach in secondary, further, adult and higher education. When I retired I did an MA by Research at Huddersfield University then a part-time PhD at York St John University.
JOB:
Self-employed. Studio potter.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
It shows the change since I completed my PhD. The left side is my workspace at home during lockdown half way through the PhD, the right side is my workspace at home now.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY?
The support, encouragement, challenge, and critical friendship of my supervisors and other “mature” PhD researchers.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
I had often come to meetings at YSJ when I worked at another university, and always liked the campus and the friendly atmosphere so when I was looking for a university offering both art and education for my PhD it was the obvious choice.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
I have built a pottery studio, and after 40 years since I last did any pottery, returned to my 1960s art college training.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Don’t give up!