Research Catalogue

My research explores the role that jewellery plays in symbolically marking the boundary of the body.  By bringing ‘retired’ pieces of jewellery back into circulation, I attempt to render participants’ sense of their own boundaries strange and unstable and to explore the range of embodied responses that emerge.  New knowledge centres on how challenges to a cohesive and unified body can also result in non-normative performances of self, and contribute to our understanding of the theoretical construct of body boundary.  This is a practice-led project that incorporates drawing methodologies and an exhibition of work, reflecting the findings, will accompany the thesis. 

My background is in English Studies and I have a Masters of Research degree in which I explore the nature of the self portrayed in Modernist fiction.  I lecture in Contextual Studies at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University and support the development of a vibrant research culture through my role as facilitator of the School's Talking Practice talks.