Contact:

mattbarberuk@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-barber-uk/

Personal Statement

I am an experienced writer with a proven ability to research complex and diverse subjects in order to translate them into engaging copy. With over fifteen years of experience in roles that have required advanced organisational and administrative skills, I am now seeking a career that will allow me to make the most of my passion for
communicating ideas and making the impenetrable understandable, without compromising accuracy or quality. Ideally, a role which allows me to utilise my skills in using media such as websites, podcasts and webinars to engage with different stakeholders.

Employment

Freelance Writer and Podcaster / September 2009 – Present

I have continued to develop my writing style and to use the skills forged during my PhD in making connections between seemingly unrelated subjects.

● The current media editor for the British Fantasy Society website, a role that involves the production of numerous pieces and the commissioning and editing of reviews from others;
● Reviews and articles for a variety of popular culture websites;
● Reviews and articles about movies for Starburst Magazine, New Empress Magazine and for the peer-reviewed British Fantasy Journal.
● A regular podcaster for the Starburst Blue Box Podcast, I have recorded material for other podcasts based around the world, the experience of which has lead to podcasts at the University of Exeter;
● Using social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Reddit to promote published writing;
● A short story selected to be included in the successful charity anthology Seasons of War;
● A monograph for the Black Archive series to be published by Obverse Books in December 2018.

Selection of Published Writing

● Forthcoming (2018): Black Archive: The Daemons , Obverse Books.
● December 2017: Review of the ‘Aki Kaurismäki Collection’, Starburst Magazine
● November 2017: Eight pieces of short fiction in Whoblique Strategies , Chinbeard Books.
● April 2017: Numerous chapters in Hating to Love , Watching Books.
● November 2016: ‘Fall’ in Seasons of War , Chinbeard Books.
● January 2016: Review of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ – British Fantasy Journal .
● November 2015: ‘The Children of Green Knowe’ – You and Who Else , Watching Books.
● May 2015: ‘Russian Ark and Hauntology’ – British Fantasy Journal .
● June 2013: ‘The Awakening’ – You and Who: Contact Has Been Made , Miwk Publishing.
● Reviews and articles in New Empress Magazine, Den of Geek and We Are Cult.

Various roles for the University of Exeter in areas including Postgraduate Recruitment, Postgraduate Student Support and Academic Policy and Standards / August 2001 – Present

I have worked in a number of positions at the University of Exeter. These roles have required enhanced organisational and communication skills and have involved liaising and negotiating with a wide variety of stakeholders.

● Liaising with marketing departments across the institution to develop and implement communication strategies and tactical marketing activities, arranging, advertising and coordinating open day events, induction events and workshops, and representing the University at national events to promote research and taught degrees as well as running webinars and helping to organise online open events;
● Supporting current research students with creative projects such as podcasts, online blogs, journals, training workshops and conferences to enhance their experience and employability;
● Designing and constructing web pages and generating online content providing information for current students on policies and procedures. These have ranged from the departmental level to a large site hosting one of the University’s central policy
documents;
● Working with prospective students from around the world to develop complex and competitive research proposals, identifying potential supervisors for specific projects and liaising with senior academics;
● Involvement with the design and implementation of the new student recruitment Customer Relationship Management system including attendance at the senior project board meetings;
● Dealing with sensitive student disciplinary cases, arranging payments for external examiners and offering advice and guidance on University policy to students, academics and external stakeholders.

Private Tutor / May 2013 – April 2014

● Private tuition in English, History and Politics from GCSE to Degree level and the teaching of English to French, German and Spanish students;
● Proofreading and copy editing of PhD theses in the fields of English, History, Politics, Linguistics, Education, Medicine and Physics.

Diocese of Plymouth Website Development Project Officer / May 2013 – October 2013

● Liaising with agencies to design and produce a new website for the Diocese of Plymouth;
● Sourcing, writing, editing and uploading material for the website and liaising with and coordinating administrators and other staff from across Devon, Dorset and Cornwall;
● Training others in the use of a bespoke content management system and producing training documentation and guidelines including best practice advice to departments on writing for the web;
● Monitoring and proofreading copy produced by others and providing solutions for basic technical problems with the website.

Student Support Tutor / September 2005 – July 2006

● Providing advice and support to students at all levels including proofreading, essay writing techniques, planning and research skills and guidance on note-taking.

Education

University of Exeter / September 2001 – September 2009
PhD in English

University of Exeter / September 1999 – August 2000
MA in the History and Literature of Witchcraft

University of Exeter / September 1996 – July 1999
BA in English Literature with Medieval Studies (2:1)

Professional Training

● Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills as part of the University of Exeter’s Aspirational Managers Programme. This included workshops on coaching and mentoring skills, time management, project management and committee servicing;
● Advanced Microsoft training in packages including Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Frontpage;
● Numerous web design and content management systems including (amongst others) Dreamweaver, Photoshop, T4 and WordPress;
● Writing for the Web best practice.