I am an award-winning poet, with fifteen years of teaching experience. I have facilitated creative writing in secondary schools, universities and a wide range of community settings. My first full-length collection, 'Skipper' was published in 2015, and includes work commended by the Forward Prize judges. My pamphlet, 'Armour' (2011) was a PBS Pamphlet Choice. I am currently Artist in Residence with York University’s Centre for Immunology and Infection; I am also the director of North East Heroes, a community writing project funded by Arts Council England. My commissions include residencies for Port of Tyne and English Heritage. My PhD work at Newcastle University was awarded the 2015 Ella Ritchie Prize.