51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ

Sam Holdstock

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My PhD supervisors are knowledgeable, inspirational and supportive.

My research topic

Having greatly enjoyed my MA in Creative Writing and Education at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ, I began my PhD in 2019. My research explores the role that Interactive Fiction might be able to play in the secondary school English classroom, with a particular focus on classroom talk and dialogue. However, I am also exploring the role of the teacher-writer, and some of the experimental works I have developed for use in the classroom can be .

Choosing the doctoral programme

The relationships I had built with members of the Education faculty during my MA made 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ' doctoral programme the natural choice. My PhD supervisors are knowledgeable, inspirational and supportive, and they have helped me to refine and develop my thinking a great deal. Moreover, the Department of Educational Studies has also supported me financially by means of a bursary. This has been enormously helpful, and I have felt well-supported throughout my PhD so far.

My time at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ

I particularly enjoy the opportunities for discussion that the programme offers. The Work in Progress seminars, Saturday school series and supervision sessions I have attended have been hugely stimulating. It is always interesting to hear about the research of my peers and to discuss all things Education with a group of like-minded, critical and curious individuals.

Advice for future students

I would encourage students to embrace and explore the range of opportunities and expertise that are available - you never know where the next exciting, inspiring or interesting idea will come from.

South East London experience

I am enjoying studying in South East London because it is near where I live and work; I feel close to the academic community I have joined, and this community does not feel detached from the rest of my life.