NUJ Freelance Directory

I have a PhD in alternative education, have written three monographs in this field and edited a journal and international handbook of alternative education. In this respect of impacts of education on self, I work with private clients as a philosophical counsellor. I can write about anything to do with education if the perspective of alternatives is involved.

I co-edit a book series on Alternative Education for Palgrave Macmillan.

My journalistic background started by editing Palatinate, the Durham University Student newspaper in 1993! There I interviewed Sir Terry Waite, Sir Tony Blair, Sir Ian McKellen (they weren't Sirs back then) and others - developing a strong interest in interviewing - something I have carried forward to qualitative research in the social sciences and, more recently, as Editor of the IFS informed therapy online magazine PARTS & SELF (www.partsandself.org).

I worked briefly for BBC Radio Four as a researcher on a philosophy programme and then went on to speak on BBC radio a number of times as an education expert, mostly about home education or silence in schools.

My academic career between 2010-18 allows me to write about universities from a non-cult-bound perspective for the sake of equitable and fair pedagogical and personal experience for all who enter into these complex environments.

I am able to write about the intersections of education, climate action, therapy, the "good" life and philosophical practices.

During 2024, I am writer in residence at St Marks' Anglican Church, Florence, Italy.