Class of 2005
QTS Teaching with English BA(Hons), MA in Literature, PhD in Literature Studies
Country: United Kingdom
Job:
Lecturer in Literature, Media, and Journalism – Leeds Beckett University
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADAUTE STUDY?
Yes, at York St John University.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
I chose this photograph because it captures a real full-circle moment for me. It was taken outside York St John on the morning I returned to give a keynote talk to postgraduate students about my own postgraduate journey. I’d first come to the University as an undergraduate before going on to complete an MA and eventually my PhD here, so being invited back to speak to students following a similar path felt incredibly special. It’s a photo that reminds me just how much York St John shaped both my academic career and my life as a writer.
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YSJ TO SOMEONE?
I’d recommend York St John because it offers something that’s increasingly rare: a genuine sense of community. From my first day as an undergraduate through to completing my PhD and becoming a lecturer here, I always felt like an individual rather than just another student. The staff were supportive, approachable and genuinely invested in helping people succeed. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s based in my favourite city in the world. York is a wonderful place to live and study, and York St John became somewhere I grew academically, professionally and personally. I’ll always be grateful for that experience.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
If I’m honest, my first impression was simply that I liked it. The campus immediately felt welcoming, York itself completely captured my imagination, and there was something about the atmosphere that made it feel like somewhere I could belong. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. What began as choosing a university that simply ‘felt right’ became the place where I found my place as a writer and a performer, and built lifelong friendships. Sometimes your instincts know more than you realise.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
Since completing my PhD at York St John, I’ve been fortunate to build a career that combines teaching, research and creative writing. I’ve lectured at a number of universities and am now a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, teaching across English, Media, Journalism and Public Relations while supervising undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students. Alongside my academic work, I’ve continued to publish research, poetry and fiction, and in 2025 my debut novel, Remington Platypus, was published by Northodox Press. The novel sold out its first print run within 24 hours, went on to win two independent Book of the Year awards, and has become the first in a planned trilogy.
Looking back, so much of that journey began at York St John. The University gave me the confidence to think independently, to develop my own voice as both a researcher and a writer, and to believe that it was possible to build a career doing the things I love. Just as importantly, it introduced me to people who shaped that journey, from inspiring supervisors such as Roger Clarke and Sarah Lawson Welsh to fellow postgraduate researchers who became friends and collaborators. York St John never felt like somewhere I simply studied; it became a community that encouraged me to grow academically, professionally and personally. That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career, and something I still try to pass on to my own students today.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?
I chose to study for my PhD at York St John because of Roger Clarke. Roger became my supervisor, mentor and, ultimately, the person who inspired me to become a lecturer myself. He had an extraordinary ability to make literature feel alive and to encourage his students to believe in themselves, even when they didn’t. Working with him challenged me to become a better researcher, writer and teacher. Although Roger is sadly no longer with us, his influence continues to shape the way I teach, supervise students and approach my own writing. I owe him a great deal.
WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?
Without question, the people. I was incredibly fortunate to be supervised by Professor Roger Clarke and Professor Sarah Lawson Welsh, who challenged, encouraged and supported me throughout my PhD. They gave me the confidence to develop my own voice as both a researcher and a writer. Equally important was the camaraderie among the postgraduate community. Research can sometimes feel solitary, but there was always someone to share ideas with, celebrate successes or help through the inevitable setbacks. It felt like a genuinely supportive environment where everyone wanted each other to succeed, and that made all the difference.
HOW DID STUDYING AT YSJ HELP IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH/SUCCESS/CURRENT ROLE?
York St John gave me far more than qualifications. Roger Clarke and Sarah Lawson Welsh taught me what it meant to be an academic: to be curious, generous with your time, and committed to helping others find their own voice. Just as importantly, they gave me opportunities to teach while I was still developing as a researcher. Learning on the job, with their support and encouragement, gave me the confidence and experience that helped launch my career in higher education. Looking back, that trust made all the difference, and it’s something I’ve tried to repay by supporting my own students in the same way.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Don’t be afraid to say yes. The opportunities that shape your life are rarely the ones you planned for. During my PhD, I was persuaded to share some poems I’d written, despite being convinced they were only for me. That small leap of faith opened doors I didn’t even know existed and eventually led me towards becoming a published poet and novelist. Your degree will give you knowledge, but the relationships you build and the opportunities you’re willing to embrace will often shape your future just as much. Sometimes all it takes is one brave “yes.”
For more information about Steve’s research and publications, please visit Steve’s website.
Steve’s debut novel, Remington Platypus, was released on 31 July 2025 and won the Raven Crime Reads Book of the Year.
Set in our real world, Remington Platypus follows world-weary detective Remington, a badger investigating a series of gruesome murders in a hidden society of woodland animals. Blending noir crime fiction, literary writing and dark humour, the novel has been described by readers as “Animals of Farthing Wood meets The Silence of the Lambs” and praised for creating “one of the most original and uniquely different books” reviewers had read.
Remington Platypus is available via Blackwell’s, Northodox Press, and Waterstones.
Follow Steve Nash on Instagram for more updates: stevenashwrites