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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Gallery Invigilator | Stills Centre for Photography | Feb-Oct 2016
Welcomed visitors to the gallery, acted as first point of contact and provided exhibition interpretation.
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.
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.
Administrative & Marketing Assistant | Fife Cottages | 2013-15
Assisted with the day-to-day operations of this family-run holiday letting business at all levels.