Life Explorer (Author of Raising Children in a Digital Age; Original history of Keep Calm and Carry On)

Employment History

My career ‘path’ may be more crazy paving, than linear progression, but that’s in tune with the 21st Century.

Currently: Manchester Metropolitan University || Digital Fingerprint

Research , Learning and Teaching Employment

September 20125 – Present		Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing, Manchester Metropolitan University See staff details.
September 2012 – August 2015		0.8 Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning, CODEC, University of Durham I undertake research into discipleship in a Digital Age, with a particular interest in identity and digital culture. I continue to work with The BIGBible Project online, whilst developing a new site on discipleship in a digital age, and looking after CODEC’s online presence. I am co-developing an MA in Digital Theology for 2016, whilst offering BA/MA dissertation supervision, and in conversation with potential PhD students. I have responsibility for, and am a core tutor for the intensive ‘MediaLit‘ course, held annually. I manage a team member who is responsible for a £250,000 project.
July 2010 – August 2012		0.5 Project Manager/Blended Learning Fellow, The Big Bible Project, CODEC, University of Durham After the successful launch of ‘The Big Read’ in the North-East for Lent 2010, I took the project national, and online with ‘The Big Read 2011’, continuing to ‘The Big Read 2012’, encouraging ‘Bigger Bible Conversations’, and improving digital literacy amongst those in the Christian community. Having developed site visitor numbers to 100,000 visitors for 2011-12, and with an increasing reputation internationally, funding was approved for ‘The Big Read 2013-15’. I am a core tutor for the intensive ‘MediaLit‘ course. See The Big Bible Project online. In September 2012, I moved to Durham as 0.8 as ‘Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning’.
October 2009 – August 2012		0.5 Senior Fellow in Technology Enhanced Learning, University of Winchester I work closely with a range of colleagues across the University to help utilise technology to enhance the interrelationships between learning, teaching, assessment and research, whilst always committed to ensuring that the tool is right for the job. I have raised the profile of the University externally through funding bids, engagement online and at conferences. I often blog about aspects relevant to the role. I have responsibility for the ‘Innovation in IT’ module of the PGCLTHE, contribute to ‘Learning Lunches’, and run a number of practical workshops. I had responsibility for an Education Assistant for 2 years. The role started out as 0.2, became 0.4 for one year, and then open-ended 0.5 in 2011, with a change in title from Blended Learning Fellow, with promotion in July 2012.
September 2008 June 2012		Associate Lecturer, Media Studies, University of Winchester Teaching on the following modules, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and assessment: 2010 – 2012 Manipulating Media (1st year double-module, compulsory, Seminar Tutor, including 3 lectures) 2009 – 2011 Intro to Media (1, 1st year, compulsory, Seminar Tutor, including 2 lectures) 2010 – 2011 Film History (1st year, compulsory, Seminar Tutor, including 2 lectures) 2009 – 2010 Intro to Media (2, 1st year, compulsory, Seminar Tutor) 2009 – 2010 Philosophy in Journalism (1st year, compulsory, Seminar Tutor) 2009 – 2010 Design for Digital Media (1st year, compulsory, Module Tutor) 2009 – 2010 Final Year Project Students (5) 2008 – 2010 Researching Media Studies (1st year, compulsory, Seminar Tutor & lectures) See more about specifics of each of the courses.
August 2009 – July 2010		0.4 Lecturer, History, University of Winchester Attendance at appropriate programme meetings, and supplementary administration. Teaching on the following modules, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and assessment: 2009 – 2010 Twentieth Century British History (1st year, compulsory, Joint Module Lead) 2009 – 2010 Landmarks (1st year, compulsory, Seminar Tutor) 2009 – 2010 Creating and Consuming (1st year, compulsory, Team-Lead) 2009 – 2010 Dreams and Nightmares (2nd year, optional, Sole tutor) See more about specifics of each of the courses.
May 2009 – September 2011		SkillsNet, University of Winchester A funded project which worked to bring together all currently available Study Skills information into one core area of the University website. Undertook staff and student focus groups, and developed and populated a concept site. Further funding was obtained to continue development of the site beyond it’s original remit. I had responsibility for another content editor on this project.
June 2009 – June 2011		Aim Higher Lecturer, University of Winchester The Aimhigher days offered those still at school the opportunity to “see what it’s really like to be a university student!”. I provided days on websites, blogging and poster making. An Enhanced CRB Check was required for this role.
January 2009 – October 2009		Project Work, Learning and Teaching Development Unit, University of Winchester Editor, Capture Journal Editorial Team, Alfred Journal ‘Web Usability’ project: literature review. Article reference.
February 2009 – June 2009		History & Media Studies, Associate Lecturer, University of Winchester Teaching on the following modules, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and assessment: 2008 – 2009 Reflecting, History (3rd year, compulsory, seminar tutor) 2008 – 2009 Researching Media and Film, Media Studies (2nd Year, compulsory, seminar tutor) 2008 – 2009 Creating and Consuming, History (1st Year, compulsory, seminar tutor & lectures) 2008 – 2009 Researching Media Studies, Media Studies (1st Year, compulsory, seminar tutor & lectures) 2008 – 2009 Design for Digital Media, Media Studies (1st Year, compulsory, Module Tutor) See more about specifics of each of the courses.
May 2005 – December 2006		Interdisciplinary Research Officer, University of Manchester A new post in which I promoted cross-subject research, with the development of a series of events, including an international conference, and provided support for bids and grants within the School of Arts, Histories and Cultures. See more detail.
1998 – 2004		Associate Lecturer, University of WinchesterI taught on a range of courses: 2002 – 2007 ‘Presenting Research‘, Postgraduate Research Training Programme (compulsory) 2003 – 2005 ‘Web Design’, Media Studies (1st year, compulsory, Visiting Lecturer) 2003 – 2004 ‘Photography and Advertising’, Media Studies (1st year, optional, Module Tutor) 2003 – 2004 ‘Research and Representation’, Media Studies (2nd year, compulsory, seminar tutor & lectures) 2003 – 2004 ‘Web Design’, American Studies (1st year, compulsory, Visiting Lecturer) 1998 – 2002 ‘Using Visual Images as Historical Sources’, History (1st year, optional case study co-ordinator within compulsory ‘The Historian’s Evidence and Skills’) 1998 – 1999 ‘Industrial Society in Crisis, 1914-1940’, History (3rd year, optional, Visiting Lecturer) 1998 – 1999 ‘Victorian Britain’, History (1st year, compulsory, seminar tutor) 1997 – 1999 ‘New Approaches to History’, History (2nd year, compulsory, seminar tutor) 1997 -1998 ‘The United Kingdom, 1900-1997’, History (3rd year, optional, Visiting Lecturer) See more about specifics of each of the courses.
December 2002 – February 2003		Research Assistant, King Alfred’s College, Winchester A well-received ENEF funded project, to which I delivered my part to time. I used the statistics package SPSS to enter quantitative and qualitative data, including adding new variables, from confidential questionnaires in a consistent manner. I ensured that the category definitions were accurately recorded, and discussed patterns and findings with other members of the team.
October 1997 – September 2000		Research Studentship, PhD by Research Working to College formal outlines and deadlines, I wrote project proposals, produced regular reports for the supervisory team and degree committees I managed my research budget, and successfully applied for further funding. I attended relevant training sessions, including subject-based methodology, art and ideology, propaganda, and more practical courses on digitisation, copyright workshops, and databases.

Online Employment

March 2001 – Present			Director, Digital Fingerprint (Social Media Consultant) Working within the sectors of Higher Education, Christianity, and small businesses, clients have included: 2014 – Present Facebook content for Beyond Chocolate 2013 – Present Spring Harvest 2011 – Present Church of England Communications Training, series of workshops 2009 – Present Speaking Engagements 2015: Girlguiding: attitude change: intro to social media 2013: Romanian Media College: week-long series of social media workshops 2011: MAARIFA: week-long series of social media workshops Visit Digital Fingerprint for fuller picture. Originally named ‘MyDesigna’, providing simple web development, the business was renamed in 2009, and refocused upon social media strategy.
May 2009 – September 2010			Social Media Strategist, Super Fun Days Out A free online adrenaline-directory, of over 2,000 UK companies, developed in 2008. I developed the social media strategy for SFDO, with a particular focus upon Twitter (pulling in the first 1500 followers) and Adrenablog (concept and content).
January 2009 – June 2010			Web Consultant, University of Winchester Restructuring, updating and redevelopment of The Department of History for University of Winchester website, launched Easter 2010. The Learning and Teaching Development website, including site restructure, and content development strategy. Continued updates until 2009) The Faculty of Education website, some restructuring, a ‘now-currency’ check, and data entry.
March 2007			Web Consultant, Law Degree, University of Winchester Following discussions with David Chalk, I produced an online presence for the new law degree at the University of Winchester in under 10 hours, using information prepared for print, re-purposing/structuring for the web, and uploading information using the University’s Content Management System. I suggested appropriate image types, which were then provided by the University marketing team. Further time was then spent investigating other University Law websites to look for other possibilities for web content, some of which was implemented. It was noted that few sites had an interactive element, so further time was spent investigating possible blogs to use, and researching types of questions which could usefully be used upon the website to engage potential students in legal debate, thus building a relationship with the University. The remaining time in the 40 hours allocate was spent providing comprehensive document and training session for David Chalk to enablehim to keep the website updated, and particularly advice on what would usefully work for ‘Blawg’, and the extensive amount of offline work which would need to be done to encourage participation. It was noted that it would be best that blog content was best provided by David,as Head of Law.
February 2007			Web Consultant, The Centre for Conspiracy Culture, University of Winchester Following discussions with Alasdair Spark, Itook 40 hours to overhaul a site which had remained dormant, but popular, since the late 1990s. I restructured the information for the site, and ensured that all links were functional. I provided a new design and imagery for the site, based upon pre-existing imagery/fonts to provide consistency. I provided search functionality, optimised search meta-tags, and suggested appropriate domain names. I provided a document allowing Alasdair Spark to keep the site updated using Dreamweaver 4.0, alongside a brief training session, including advice on web usability and legal issues relating to web content.
February 2001 – May 2005			IT Centre Advisor, University College Winchester, Winchester. A part-time team-working post. I helped students and staff with any queries or problems they might have while using open access PCs at the College, particularly software queries. I wrote working procedures, student instructions and leaflets, and publicity materials. I continually learnt new software, being particularly strong on the Microsoft Office suite, through which I completed the Advanced ECDL syllabus. I was the resident ‘expert’ on Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and the internet I offered services such as colour printing, colour photocopying and laminating, sales of consumer goods, and organised loan stock including laptops, digital cameras and data projectors.
September 2004 – May 2005			Web Designer/Editor, School of Cultural Studies, University College Winchester Collating, structuring and re-editing information within a short time-frame to provide a site to encourage recruitment to the subjects under the umbrella of the School of Cultural Studies, whilst also catering for current students. Held meetings, and corresponded via e-mail, with relevant members of staff within the department to collate the relevant information. Structure the site in a user-friendly manner, using a design that would work in the new portal being developed by the College, so that information would easily export. Write relevant content, and source images, for use within the website.
March 2005 – May 2005			Editorial Consultant, The National Archives Working on a digital project entitled ‘The Art of War‘. I provided: Contextualisation on original artwork for Second World War posters through image captioning. Artist biographies Content on the Ministry of Information and INF files to form the basis of the front page and press releases.
February 2005 – May 2005			Web Developer, P&G Wells (Bookshop, Winchester) After discussions, I designed and structured a static website encompassing six different areas of the business, with an emphasis on fast download and accessibility.
August 2003 – March 2004			Web Content Editor, Information & Technology Services, University College Winchester Working within pre-existing design constraints, I initially researched and wrote content for the internal ITCS website related to the IT Centre. Following positive feedback, I collated comprehensive information relating to the entire ITCS department, and reformulated it in a format suitable for the web. I redesigned the structure, design and layout of the internal ITCS website, and worked closely with the programmer to define a suitable content management system for the site. The new site utilises a database driven XML website designed by another member of the team to my specification, which was also to form the basis for a generic web style to be used College wide.
January 2003 – September 2003			Web Content Editor, Research & Innovation Centre (RIC), University College Winchester Webpages are only viewable internally. I held discussions with members of the RIC to define the information needed. I redesigned and restructured the RIC website, working within constraints imposed by a corporate style. I produced appropriate content, and continued to support the site, and investigating and contributing postgraduate material.
April 2001 – June 2005			Web Developer, Christ Church, Winchester Voluntary work on the website for my local Anglican Church. I held discussions with several members of the congregation, and defined a three-fold audience: those interested in joining the church, those already members of the church, and those who wished to visit the church for marriages, etc. I structured and built the webpages, and converted what content I could find into web suitable form. My persistence paid off, and the webpages went live in March 2003.
September 2001 – February 2002; August 2002 – October 2002			Research Assistant, King Alfred’s College, Winchester Research Assistant on a teaching and learning project addressing issues of effective and usable web design, entitled “Improving Student’s Web Design Skills by Providing them with a Repository of Web Designs”. A funded project to discover what defines usable and effective web design. I researched the subject through carefully identified texts, and a series of interviews. I produced a carefully targeted web site: http://www.winchester.ac.uk/designproject, designed to meet defined needs across the College. I defined the information structure of the site, wrote the majority of the content and guidelines for the project team.
May 1999 – May 2000			King Alfred’s College, Sparkford Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 4NR Digital preparation for the Southampton Records Series. Working within guidelines from Southampton University, I scanned material using optical character recognition (OCR) software, and prepared material for the internet.

Other Employment

January 2010 – August 2012		Tea Service, Winchester Prison A voluntary role, undertaken approximately once a month, where I go into Winchester Prison and serve teas as part of a rota from the local churches. Enhanced Security Clearance was required for this role.
May 2008 – November 2008		Tour Leader, Oak Hall I have worked full-time for the Christian holiday company Oak Hall, as a tour leader. This role included a high level of teamwork, for example working with speakers, drivers, and the base-team. Additionally I took sole responsibility for the group whilst overseas, spending time with – and creating enthusiasm amongst – the guests, offering pastoral care, preparing non-denominational evening worship sessions, implementing necessary changes at short notice, and provided feedback to Oak Hall at the end of each tour. I continued to work for Oak Hall on an occasional basis in vacations.
September 2007 – April 2008		Round the World Trip A 7-month trip, combining group and independent travel, through South-East Asia, Australasia and South America. A dream followed: meeting new people, seeing new places, experiencing new things. Personal diary maintained via a travelblog.
January -September 2007		Short-term Projects, UK Following voluntary redundancy, I started and completed a number of writing projects, including a prestigious project for the London Transport Museum; explored and re-assessed career options; attended courses on travel writing, running your own business, LICC ‘Toolbox‘, and was awarded a place at the ‘MediaNet Academy’ at the Christians in the Media Conference, completed my TEFL Certification, travelled around the UK, planned my overseas trip, and completed six weeks with Oak Hall Expeditions (team leader, cook and housekeeper).
June 1991 – February 2001		Temporary Work, Various Locations. Whilst studying, I have taken various short-term posts (more details). As an optical advisor for Boots Opticians, I had to deal with sensitive personal information, aid customer choices, and carry out administrative tasks. Other short term and part time posts have included cleaning, catering, supermarket, and secretarial and administrative posts. Prior to the initial degree, I spent five months in Brazil, working as a volunteer within a family home, and in a home for rescued street children.

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