Thesis complete

My thesis is complete!

I’m delighted to say that my MPhil successfully came to a close earlier this year.

Sincere thanks go to Associate Professor Tanja Poppelreuter and Professor Peter Walker, whose knowledge, guidance and encouragement made this opportunity possible. Their support has been invaluable throughout a deeply enriching experience. I’m also incredibly grateful to Dr Alexandra Mitchell at the Archives and Special Collections for her patience and expertise in supporting my many requests.

I would also like to thank my examiners: Dr Colin Stuhlfelder, Professor Igea Troiani, and Associate Professor Katharina Borsi, for their insightful feedback and thoughtful engagement with the work. Thrilled to only receive minimal amendments.

Thank you to everyone who supported the project; those who shared knowledge, offered guidance, or simply listened along the way. And a special thanks to my former colleague, Hanneke van Dijk.

So, what’s next?

I’m currently exploring ways to develop the research into something new, following a recent opportunity involving the University of Salford and the University of Liverpool. I’ll share more when the time is right, but watch this space. Alongside this, I’m working with Beryl Patten at the Eccles Old Road Project on a social history study examining mid-twentieth-century schools in Salford and their relationship with public art and sculpture.

If you’d like to read the final thesis, I hope you enjoy it and if some sections feel a little dense, the photographs are worth a look on their own!