Pronouns - She / Her
Current Positions
Research Integrity Champion, FACE, Wrexham University, 2024 - present
Reader in Interdisciplinary Art Practice, 2023 - present.
Programme Leader: MA Art & Design Suite, Faculty of Arts, Computing and Engineering (FACE), Wrexham University, 2023- present.
Principal Supervisor PhDs, Faculty of Art, Science and Technology (FAST) now Faculty of Art, Computing and Engineering (FACE), Wrexham University, 2018-present.
Visual Artist / Filmmaker, 2004 - present.
education
Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy, Bangor University, 2017.
PhD, Leeds Beckett University, 2014.
MA (Merit) Contemporary Fine Art Practice, Leeds Beckett University, 2004.
BA (Hons) First Class, Visual Arts, University of Salford, 2002.
Previous University Employment
Board of Governors, Academic Board Nominated Governor, Wrexham University, Wales, UK, 2022-2024.
Academic Board member, Wrexham University, Wales, UK, 2021-2024.
Programme Leader: MA Art & Design Suite, Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, Wrexham Glyndwr University, 2019 - present.
Senior Lecturer / Programme Leader: MA Art & Design Suite, Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, Wrexham Glyndwr University, 2021 - 2023.
Programme Leader: MA Art and Design Practice, Wrexham Glyndwr University, 2019-2021.
Programme Leader: BA (Hons) / MDes Photography & Film, Wrexham Glyndwr University, 2019-2020.
Lecturer BA (Hons) / MDes Photography & Film, Wrexham Glyndwr University, 2017- 2019.
Honorary Research Fellow, Social Sciences, Bangor University, 2012- 2018.
Lecturer / Co-Course Leader (P/T) MA Fine Art, Creative Studies and Media, Bangor University, 2015- 2018.
PhD Supervisor (P/T) Creative Studies and Media, Bangor University, 2017- 2018.
Lecturer (P/T) MA Fine Art, School of Lifelong Learning, Bangor University 2014 - 2015.
Sessional Lecturer BA Fine Art, School of Creative Industries, Media and Performance, Glyndwr University, 2014.
Lecturer (P/T) MA Fine Art, School of Creative Education, University of Salford, 2011-2012.
Research Assistant (P/T) Contemporary Fine Art & Critical Theory Group, University of Salford, 2009-2012.
Sessional Lecturer MA Fine and Applied Arts, Glyndwr University, Wrexham, 2007-2008.
Visiting Lecturer MA Contemporary Fine Art, University of Salford, 2006.
Visiting Lecturer BA Visual Arts and MA Contemporary Fine Arts, University of Salford, 2004.
Research Assistant (P/T) School of Art & Design, University of Salford, 2002-2009.
Educational interests
Expanded fields of Cinema and Photography; Film, Moving Image & Fine Art, in pre-cinema, early experimental films, avant-garde cinema, ‘dream films’ and artists’ videos; Analogue and digital photography; installation; performance; Multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations; Critical Theory; Julia Kristeva; Research Methods; Creative Education; Curation.
Continual Professional Development - University training courses undertaken
Aurora, Advance HE's leadership development initiative for women, 2020.
Effective Programme Leader, 2019.
External Examiner, 2018.
Chairing Student Voice Forums, 2018.
Research Group
Arts in Health Research Group, WU - initiated and lead AiH RG, includes colleagues from FACE & FSLS, Wrexham University, External Partners including BCU HB, Liverpool University and Visiting Professors 2023- present.
Research Projects
Public Map Platform (PMP) ‘for Future Generations: Charting the green transition on the Isle of Anglesey / Ynys Môn’. This is a large AHRC funded collaborative project with Cambridge, Cardiff and Wrexham universities. Collaborating with young people on the island, Bards and mappers, PI Prof. Flora Samuels (Cambridge University), Co-I Prof. Simon Orford (Cardiff University) and Co-Is from Wrexham University, Prof. Alec Shepley and Dr. Karen Heald, PDRA Dr. Tristan Evans. 2023-2025. https://publicmap.org/en
Ecological Citizen(s) is a large four year EPSRC project based at the Royal College of Art in collaboration with the University of York’s Stockholm Environment Institute and Wrexham University, School of Art. The mission is to foster and proactively encourage (through technologically appropriate interventions) Ecological Citizenships for positive climate action. PIs Dr. Robert Phillips, Co-Is Dr. Sarah West, Prof. Alec Shepley, Wrexham team, PDRA Dr. Tracy Simpson, Advisors Daniel Knox and Dr. Karen Heald. 2022-2026. https://ecologicalcitizens.co.uk/
Co-producing Community Narratives, Civic Mission funded. Working with artists, 6 communities, councils and Public Service Boards (PSBs) across North Wales listening and responding to unheard voices using creative art methods. Prof. Rachel Hughes, Dotiau, Prof. Alec Shepley, Dr. Karen Heald. 2023-2024.
In-between-ness: using art to capture changes to the self during antidepressant treatment Artist in Residence / Honorary Researcher at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCU HB). Funded R&D project. PI Karen Heald, Co-I’s Dr Susan Liggett, Dr Richard Tranter and Professor Rob Poole, 2011-2014.
Visualising the Invisible, Artist in Residence / Researcher, Ablett Psychiatric Unit, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Arts Council of Wales, Safle & NHS funded project, 2009-2010. Karen Heald.
Artist-in-Residence
Mapio Madoc Creadigol, underwater filming at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre with Oriel Wrecsam, Angela Davies, Ant Dickinson, Karen Heald & Francesca Simmons, 2014.
Gallery Education Roles
Mentoring Artists for arts and science exhibitions supported by Arts Council Wales, 2018-2019.
Lead Artist / Artist Mentor in collaboration with MOSTYN / CLYCH / Penrhos School, 2015.
Artist / Filmmaker collaboration with Alana Tyson & Ruthin Craft Centre, 2015.
Lead Artist / Artist Mentor, Engage Cymru / Oriel Mostyn / Hard to Reach Young People, 2013-2014.
Lead Artist / Artist Mentor, Engage Cymru / Oriel Wrecsam / Wrexham Youth Offenders Team, 2013.