![]() | Email: imaginedspaces@googlemail.com |
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And wisdom is a butterfly,
and not a gloomy bird of prey… (WB Yeats)
BSc Psychology/Sociology
MSc Restorative Practices
Personal statement
I am interested in how the areas of peace/reconciliation, creativity/imagination and spirituality can inform and connect to each other.
I am a Quaker.
I live by the sea in Northern Ireland.
Research interests
- Restorative Justice
- Creativity and Spirituality
- Silence, Contemplation, Mysticism
- Imagination, Art, Reconciliation
Courses taught
Advocacy and Empowerment; Conflict Transformation; Reconciliation; Mental Health and Mediation; Film and Reconciliation
Current projects
- The looming Male – a creative and multi-storied exploration of maleness
- Heaven and Hell – images of inclusion and exclusion in culture, conflict and contemplation
- Christmas in the Holy land – stories and poems around three ‘holy lands’: living in the Holy Land (Belfast); working in Jerusalem; the ‘Christmas Texts in the Christian Tradition
Representative publications
- Between the Bells (2019) - stories of reconciliation from Corrymeela
(Canterbury Press) - Just for one day (2018) – a memorial art project for those who died in the Northern Ireland conflict.
- A day being brave (2017) - Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission – a documentary film about mental health, youth and human rights.
The choices we made (2016) – documentary film (Writer/Producer/Director)
Sequel to Upstanding, focusing on six true stories about individual responses to sectarianism and violence
- Waiting and Silence (2015) – documentary film (Writer/Producer/Director)
An exploration of silence in society. In particular, the role of silence within the Quaker Tradition in Northern Ireland. - Upstanding (2013)
[Writer/Producer/Director]
A documentary film with a focus on the courageous efforts and actions of ten everyday people who tackled prejudice, discrimination and violence.
- Writing the Changes (2009)
Book of poems/photographs, published in conjunction with Ulster Museum re-launch in October 2009 - Taking the Lead (2009) – Shortlisted artist to represent NI as 2012 Olympic Artist
- A-Z of Cant. (2007)
Artist in Residence at Solstice Arts Centre Navan, exploring Irish Traveller traditions, past and present. This five-month residency culminated in a multi-media exhibition featuring text-posters, photographs, a short film and sculptural pieces.
- Dubh - Ambient CD (2005) Proost Records
Writer/musician/performer - Night News (Jan 2005)
Limited edition book illustrating of art-event in April 2004 with teenagers from East Belfast. Chalk slogans on the Lower Newtownards Road. Photographs/text. - Shrink Rap (1999) (Writer/Director)
A documentary film about the role of Psychiatry within the Health Service
- Whats UP? (1997) (Writer/Director)
A documentary film about User Participation in the field of Mental Health
Education
BSc Psychology/Sociology
MSc Restorative Practices
Previous positions
- Director of Corrymeela Peace Centre (2009/14)
- NI Association for Mental Health Centre: Coordinator; Area Manager (1990-2003)
- Associate Lecturer –University of Ulster (1999-2001)
- Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor (North West England – 2006/8)
Professional affiliations/activities
- Commissioner on NI Parades Commission (2014- present)
- Visiting Professor – Schulich School of Law
[Dalhousie University (2015- present)] - Senior Associate (Mediation NI)
- Mediator for housing conflicts (Tides Training and Consultancy)
- Member of Thinkbucket (Art Collective)
Grants received
- ACNI Award in conjunction with Corrymeela (2011) – community photographic exhibition.
- The Beginning and End of Belfast (Jan 2010)
ACNI Award to produce a series of photographs and text-pieces recording the artists walk around the edges of Belfast - Recipient of Arts Council Northern Ireland Individual Artists Award (Nov 2005) to produce a body of poems about East Belfast, to be performed as part of a multi-media event in 2006.
- ACNI Artist in the Community Award (2004)
Working exclusively in East Belfast with teenagers, the temporarily homeless and paramilitaries.
Interests
Silence, story, imagination.