Historical Sport Researcher & Writer UK
My work as a researcher and consultant has built on skills learnt both as a trained historian and working in the City of London. I am currently working at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. My areas of specialism include conducting Oral Histories, Participatory Research and Historical Research Presentation Skills. I have also consulted on how best to improve museums and public spaces for people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
- In 2017 I produced the research documents for a new section of the World Rugby Museum, looking at various non-traditional forms of the game. These included Wheelchair Rugby, Gay Rugby, Blind Rugby and Golden Oldies Rugby. Research involved arranging and conducting a number of interviews with key individuals, and also some participatory research at training sessions. In addition to interviews and producing photos/videos for the exhibition, I was also able to source a Wheelchair Rugby Chair, used at the 2012 Paralympics, which became the centrepiece of the exhibit.
- Between 2014-18 I co-authored (with Colin Veitch MA) the Saracens WW1 history project. We gained a Heritage Lottery Fund grant award, to help in our pursuit of players from the Saracens Rugby Club who served and fell in the Great War. In 2015 some of our findings were featured in the World Rugby Museum. At the end of the project in 2018 the project concluded with the unveiling of an honours board to pay respect to those players, a presentation at Allianz park Stadium and an article in the match day programme. This consisted of a mix of genealogical and archival research.
- Taking my academic knowledge into the public sphere, in 2017 I worked for three months with Sarah Levett at Leicester City Council: Arts and Museums Service and Michaela Butter at Attenborough Arts to produce a well received report on improving access for people with Intellectual/Learning Disabilities. This included a wide range of suggestions from making subtle tweaks to physical spaces, improving websites and suggestions to aid staff.
- Since 2016 I have been working with the Special Olympic Athlete Leadership Programme, attending meetings of the Athlete Input Council and providing advice and mentoring for a number of the athletes.
- Since April 2020 I have been working at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the development department, with a close link to the Centre for History in Public Health.
Learning Disability & Sports
I am an experienced presenter at various multi-disciplinary academic conferences around the World, discussing my expertise on disability sport. As part of my thesis research I was also involved extensively with Special Olympics GB, supporting their Athlete Leader Programme.
Historian, Researcher, Consultant
Using my research skills I have done consultation work for clients as varied as the World Rugby Museum, Leicester and Cornwall museums, Special Olympics and currently work with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Specialist Tour Guide
I have over 5 years of tour guiding experience, in London and around the UK. Find out more at Tallyho Experiences: https://tallyho.cc
Need Advice?
Whether a quick question or a potential large piece of research, get in contact and drop me an email.