literature, education, and early modern drama // the words, words, words of Dr James Alsop, Teacher of English // views are my own and do not represent those of my employer
When I completed my doctorate, I was still quite new to this teaching malarkey. It wasn't until I re-read my old PhD thesis after several years in the profession that I realised just how much my writing style had changed - and, I believe, improved - as a result of what I'd learnt in the classroom.
When I look back on my first BritGrad conference in 2018, I still struggle to put into words what a profound and lasting effect the entire experience had on me both professionally and personally. BritGrad was, without doubt or hyperbole, a defining moment in my academic journey...
I'd like to share some of the things that I now know that I wish I'd known five years ago. To be clear: I'm no expert in the field of early career academic guidance. I'm still learning and still making mistakes. All I'd like to do, if I can, is offer some support. I can only speak for myself, but a little guidance here or there would have taken away some of the pre-completion and post-graduation fear, imbued my next steps with a renewed sense of purpose, and perhaps even given me more reason to believe in myself...
For a Senecan-styled tragedy of inordinate bloodshed, things work out remarkably well for the characters who survive John Marston’s 1602 Antonio’s Revenge...
A couple of years ago, I overheard a conversation between a group of boys at the student bar. They were, as young men are prone to do in packs, discussing women - specifically, the various reasons why they'd dumped their exes.
Some of these reasons were very silly indeed...
