Richard

I am the author of eleven books, including John Donne (2007), Mummies, Cannibals and Vampires (2011; 2nd edn 2015); A Century of Supernatural Stories (2015), A Singing Mouse at Buckingham Palace (2017), and Fairies: A Dangerous History (Reaktion, 2018). As someone whose work has featured extensively in international press, radio and television, I have learned to excel not just as an HE lecturer and researcher, but as a communicator. Good teaching is about enthusiastic and directed two-way communication, and I am a passionate believer in this.

Tutoring Experience

I have taught English literature at 3 Russell Group universities: Southampton, Cardiff, and Durham. My teaching has involved lecturing, tutorials of 6-8 students, and one to one essay consultations and dissertation supervisions. In 2011/12 I was nominated for the award of Best Lecturer in Durham by Durham's Student Union. I have previously undertaken private tuition with both child and adult learners.#/k#

Tutoring Approach

Good tutoring needs three things: structure, encouragement, and attention to individual needs. Having taught a wide range of different students now across almost 20 years, including a number of adult learners, I have learned to attune myself to a particular students strengths and weaknesses, both those which are more obvious, and those which are less so. I believe anyone can succeed at their chosen subjects if they are encouraged and directed with sufficient effort and skill.