CV

Certificated short course encompassing creative non-fiction writing. Class taught curriculum covering aspects of theory, skills and techniques in developing setting, story, character, voice, point of view, ‘show not tell’, research, interviews and pitch.   

MLitt research masters awarded with distinction in Roman History. Demonstrated capacity for sustained, self-led research, evaluating complex and varied sources. Employed advanced research skills, developing original ideas and presenting structured and persuasive written argument to high academic standards. Evaluated on written submission amounting to 40,000 words, my dissertation was entitled: ‘Slaves, Bandits and Pirates: Internal Disorder within Roman Italy from 200BC to 100AD’.

BA Hons 2:1. in Ancient History and Civilisation. Evaluated via extensive essay submission, seminars and formal written examinations. I studied a broad range of classical and ancient civilisations, culminating with a focus during honours year on Roman History. Final year dissertation of 10,000 words was entitled ‘Life of the Common Soldier in Caesar’s Gallic Wars’.      

Supporting four major government regulated bids for a substantial commercial client in the Australian science and engineering sector, I contributed professional writing services for a series of formal bid submissions.

Undertaking extensive corporate research and information collation, I was responsible for collating, structuring and writing high quality bid narratives, that conformed with formal submission criteria that augmented core client data and their corporate narrative.

Fashioning an authentic and compelling ‘story’ that facilitated the delivery of largely technical and corporate data, I was commended for the fresh and engaging quality of my input in supporting and fashioning these substantial project documents.

Writing a commissioned piece for The Historians Magazine, (Issue 12) I submitted a published article entitled ‘Socrates The Warrior: Reward & Privilege In the Cradle of Democracy’.

Working to a very tight word count (750 words), this was a challenging though enjoyable writing experience.

Commissioned to write for Ancient Warfare Magazine (Vol XV, Issue 6), my article, ‘Ancient Commanders, Leading From the Front’ was published in late 2021.

Negotiating under defined editorial conditions, I successfully pitched and submitted an extended feature (2,500 word) article that was highly original and well written.

Well received by readership, I experienced positive feedback and a valuable learning experience of formal magazine publishing.

Undertaking a short commissioned piece on travel within Italy, I successfully provided a high quality contemporary travel article on the town of Lucca Italy.

Providing a contemporary and personal angle on ‘why places are special’, I related my love and experience of the small Tuscan town to the appreciation of the commissioning editor.

Commissioned by an Indian property developer in Hyderabad, India, I undertook a place-naming project to develop an identity for an exclusive gated housing complex.

Working to a detailed brief on a series of names, themes and their associations, I provided a bank of options to the developer that not only tied to place, culture and environment, but also resonated with themes around exclusivity, luxury and quality.

Working since 2020 for the Canadian based website The Collector.com, I have now written over 20 extended articles across a broad range of ancient historical topics.

Taking in detailed and original aspects, of Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Celtic history, I have written extensively, following editorial commission, instruction and to deadlines.

With over 1 million visits a month to the site, I have been commended by the editors for the quality of my articles, several of which have received high volume engagement.

Always seeking to balance academic quality with popular accessibility, I have been commended for my diligent research and received highly positive feedback for my style and ideas.

In 2021 my article on the ‘Assassination of Julius Caesar’ was formally referenced by the esteemed historian Michael Burleigh in the opening chapter of his new book ‘Day of the Assassins: A History of Political Assassination’.

Working for a US based business consultancy, on a corporate communication project, I provided an extensive range of written scenario-based communication, covering a broad range of business processes, events and themes.

I provided a high level of authentic quality material with a focus on ‘American’ terminology and culture. This was a high volume project with many varied milestones and rolling deadlines.

Undertaking paid commissions for this small Sydney property company, I was tasked with writing a number of articles and scoping pieces on aspects of the Australian property and personal investment market.  Work included:

‘Safe Harbour Insolvency Provision’ – Visualisation strategies on how to present complex legislation. (March 2020) 

‘Wealth & Australians’ – Concepts on the Australian relationship to personal wealth and investment.  (March 2020)

‘Coronavirus & Australian Housing’ – Potential effects of the pandemic on the Australian market. (Feb 2020)

Writing for a Melbourne based arts charity as a contributory writer, I have recently submitted some interest-articles for their website blog.  Articles to date include: 

‘The Weight of the World’ – Gathering strength from aspects of Melbourne architecture. 

‘Looking for Signs’ – Art, interpretation and culture in common street signs. 

I have held varied roles within the professional services sphere undertaking a wide range of rolls within the University sector; supporting senior academics, working with stakeholders and managing administrative support teams. Principal duties have included:

Communication assistance to the Dean and Executive via a range of channels including social media, intranet sites, eDMs, newsletters, memo, formal letters, publications, reports, committee papers, speeches and briefing notes. 

Event management, providing planning, sourcing and delivery for high-profile launches, lectures, conferences and speaker dinners, interfacing with stakeholders and VIPs across external bodies and government.

Special projects with senior stakeholders, co-ordinating support for public engagement programmes with teaching bodies, charities, local and central government. 

Information management and data handling, accessing and handling diverse records, responding to formal enquiries relating to, records, complaints, governance, reports, data protection and statutory returns.

Experienced in a range of commercial and creative outputs for both digital and traditional print outputs, I write fresh and engaging content. I am adept at taking complex subjects and making them fresh and accessible. I can write to formal criteria covering corporate and governmental contexts, as well as writing creatively within the charity and third sector.

With a previous background in academic management and administration, I am a professional and disciplined worker, negotiating complexity and working to instruction, while meeting tight deadlines and fixed criteria.

With a genuine flair for originality and ideas, I also offer my own unique angle on topics and am never afraid to present novel (well reasoned and researched) interpretations, even on well established topics.

With an academic research background, I am trained to postgraduate level as a historian and hold an MLitt with Distinction from a top UK university. I am trained in digital, web based approaches as well as traditional research methods. In addition,  I possess a strong talent for original thinking and a capacity for identifying novel angles of enquiry that are fruitful in their outcome and fresh in their approach. 

Across my career, I have gained extensive experience of writing formal, bespoke and complex correspondence to a wide range of public bodies, VIPs and senior stakeholders. Working at the heart of large complex institutions, I have assisted in writing a vast range of emails, letters, reports, materials, committee papers, briefing notes, event plans, speeches and much more. With an informal style, I have written often for intranet sites, newsletters. I am skilled in the use of appropriate tone, language and pitch, to meet the expectations of varied audiences. 

I have a strong portfolio of digital skills and am comfortable working through a range of platforms across social media, web interfaces and many major software packages. A long-term blogger, with a strong sense of creative talent, I am a confident content creator, undertaking high-quality and original work encompassing written, visual and sound inspired output.