CV
Education
PhD History of Art | University of Edinburgh | 2015-19
Thesis title: "Le cadre déborde: framing Dora Maar's photographic works in dialogue with surrealism."
Supervised by Professor Patricia Allmer and Professor Neil Cox. Examined by Dr Tessel Bauduin and Dr Lucy Weir.
Thesis submitted: 17th April 2019. Viva passed: 15th July 2019. Degree awarded: 28th October 2019.
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MLitt History of Photography (Distinction) | University of St Andrews | 2013-14
Thesis title: "Shades of the Self: the relationship between studio and experimental portraiture by female photographers between the wars."
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MA (Hons) Art History and Classical Studies (First) | University of St Andrews | 2009-13
Honours Dissertation: “Frustrated Desire: depictions of the erotic in the surrealist works of Toyen.”
Academic awards: O E Saunders Prize (2012), Lady Maxwell Prize (2012), Dean’s List (2011-13).
Research Interests
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Women artists of the interwar avant-gardes
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History and theory of photography
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Surrealism and its legacies
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Contemporary Scottish photography
Publications
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"Reframing Narratives, Rewriting (Hi)Stories: Maud Sulter's Syrcas," Studies in Photography (Winter 2021)
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"Ragpicking the City: Dora Maar as Street Photographer," Woman's Art Journal 41:2 (Fall 2020)
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"Dora Maar's Artistic Odyssey," The Debutante 2 - Feminist-Surrealist Odysseys (October 2020)
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"Eilean: The Island Photography of Margaret Fay Shaw​, by Fiona J Mackenzie (ed.)," Northern Scotland 11:1 (May 2020)
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"An Uncanny Eye - Dora Maar at Tate Modern," Source Photographic Review 100 (Winter 2019/20)
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"Jonny Lyons: Dream Easy," Studies in Photography, 30th Anniversary Edition (2016)
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"Calum Colvin and the Postmodern Turn," in Calum Colvin: The Magic Box (Edinburgh: Edinburgh Printmakers, 2014)
Presentations
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​Invited speaker, Tate Talks: The Surreal Nature of Reality. Presentation entitled "Seeing without looking: vision, blindness, and the pursuit of the surreal," followed by panel discussion with Prof Dawn Ades and Dr Lauren Elkin, chaired by Prof Shahidha Bari. Tate Modern, February 2020.
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Invited speaker, Surrealism & Theory workshop, organised by Dr Kristoffer Noheden. Paper entitled "Surrealist Photography, In Theory." IASH, University of Edinburgh, November 2019.
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"La photographie dans le boudoir: femininity, fashion, and the femme fatale in Dora Maar’s portraits of Leonor Fini." SURREALISMS - inaugural conference of the International Society for the Study of Surrealism (ISSS). Bucknell University, November 2018.
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"Touchez, s'il vous plaît: the hand as surrealist motif in Dora Maar's photographic works." Dada & Surrealism Research Group Seminar Series. Edinburgh College of Art, May 2018.
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​"Dora dans les rues: female flânerie and the dérive in Dora Maar’s street photography." Universities Art Association of Canada (UAAC) Annual Conference. Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, October 2017.
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"Maar, Bataille, and the Eye: Aggressive visuality in Dora Maar's photomontage." Aggression, Transgression & the Avant-garde One-day International Conference. University of Edinburgh, June 2017.
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"Witnessing the Surreal: Blind insight in Dora Maar's surrealist photomontage." ​Franco-Scottish Research Network Interdisciplinary Seminar. Institut Français Écosse, December 2016.
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"Down and Out in Paris, London, and Barcelona: Characterising Dora Maar’s Street Photography." Changing Tides: Exploring the relationships between people, places, and art - History of Art Postgraduate Research Conference. University of Edinburgh, June 2016.
Conferences/panels organised
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New Voices: Art and Conflict, Association for Art History annual postgraduate research conference, University of Edinburgh, November 2018 [Co-organiser]
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Surrealism and Photography: New Perspectives, session at UAAC Annual Conference, University of Waterloo, October 2018 [Panel organiser/chair]
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​Re/presenting the Body: Between art and science, Association for Art History Summer Symposium, University of Glasgow, July 2017 [Organising committee member]
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Aggression, Transgression & the Avant-garde, one-day international conference, University of Edinburgh, June 2017 [Co-organiser]
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Changing Tides: Exploring the relationships between people, places and art, annual History of Art postgraduate research conference, University of Edinburgh, June 2016 [Organising committee member]
Public engagement
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Surrealist Games Night, Edinburgh College of Art (Dada & Surrealism Research Group), 3rd April 2019 [Co-organiser and host]
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Books in Focus: Women Surrealists, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two), 4th & 6th October 2018 [Invited speaker]
Scholarships and grants
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Fran Trust Conference Award, 2018
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2 University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Research Expenses Grants, 2017
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Devolved Researcher Fund Grant, 2017
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Wolfson Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship in the Humanities, 2015-2018
Further experience
Head of Trusts and Projects | Royal Scottish National Orchestra | 2022-present
Leading the Trusts and Projects team to achieve annual trust and foundation (and statutory and local authority) income targets, I am responsible for maintaining a portfolio of high value funders, drafting cases for support, and supporting project development and evaluation.
Trusts and Projects Coordinator | Royal Scottish National Orchestra | 2020-2022
In this role, I work to maximise income from the Trusts and Foundations sector through compelling and persuasive funding applications and proposals related to the RSNO’s artistic, digital, and creative learning projects. I work with teams across the organisation to shape innovative projects; identify funding opportunities; monitor project delivery to manage funders’ reporting requirements and develop excellent relationships with Trusts and Foundations supporting the RSNO.
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Committee Member | Scottish Society for the History of Photography | 2020-2022
SSHoP aims to promote, celebrate, and sustain photographic history and contemporary practice in Scotland; as a committee member, I contributed actively to discussions and decisions regarding the Society's strategy and programmes.
Baker | Muircot Farmshop | 2019-2020
Alongside my continuing research, I put my favourite hobby to good use by working part-time as a baker at a local cafe.
Pre-Honours Tutor (History of Art) | University of Edinburgh | 2017-19
Led weekly tutorials for the second-year undergraduate survey course in Art History, covering a broad range of topics across two centuries, consolidating knowledge that students received in lectures through focused discussion and group tasks, as well as undertaking essay and exam marking.
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Committee Member, Doctoral & Early Career Research Network | Association for Art History | 2016-19​
Aside from co-organising the two Association events listed above, I was also the manager of the annual Dissertation Prizes (undergraduate & postgraduate), 2018-19.
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Gallery Invigilator | Stills Centre for Photography | Feb-Oct 2016
Welcomed visitors to the gallery, acted as first point of contact and provided exhibition interpretation.
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Public Engagement Intern | Fife Contemporary Art & Craft | Apr-Jul 2015
The main focus of the internship was a comprehensive review of the organisation's public engagement strategy; I produced a 40+ page report, which collated findings from online and archival research, as well as from consultation with external stakeholders. I also organised a short programme of public engagement activities to complement the summer exhibition, Robert Callender A2B, and co-ordinated marketing for the events.
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Volunteer | Perth Museum & Art Gallery | Oct 2014-Mar 2015
Assisted with the running of a cyanotype activity at the Museum's November ‘Activities Day’; also began digitising photographs from the Museum’s collection (using flatbed scanner and Photoshop) for future cataloguing.
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Administrative & Marketing Assistant | Fife Cottages | 2013-15
Assisted with the day-to-day operations of this family-run holiday letting business at all levels.