Qualifications
MA in Fine Art (University of Northampton, 2011)
BA Single Honors English Language and Literature (University of Leeds, 2001)
Specialization
English (Literature & creative writing, poetry and children’s literature)
Employment Track
English Language, Literature and Drama Teacher, American Academy Larnaca (2001-Present)
Head of Year 5, American Academy Larnaca (2006 – 2009)
Educational Material Editor, Ministry of Education (2006-2009)
FLTA Lecturer in Greek Language and Cypriot Studies, Stanford University CA,USA (2007 – 2008)
Memberships (Academic/Professional)
SCBWI (professional)
12×12 (professional)
Research Interests
I have a special interest in Postcolonial literature and diversity in children’s literature. This is also reflected in my writing at all levels and is inextricably linked to my own lived experiences as an immigrant and a repatriated Cypriot. The overarching key theme that connects Postcolonial literatures and my own writing is always identity and how identity is inherited, created and understood (especially hybrid identities) and how we represent those complex identities in our work.
Roles and Responsibilities (including past roles and responsibilities)
Teaching and Course Leadership
List of modules taught:
A World of Difference: Literature in Translation
From Romantics to Decadents: Literary Culture 1789-1900
Reading Texts: Literary Theory
Selective Publications
‘The Fig Tree’ (Roaring Brook/Macmillan USA, June 2025)
‘Tomatoes in My Lunchbox’ (Roaring Brook/Macmillan, June 2022)
‘Larnakes’ Larnaka The Anthology (Armida Books, 2021)
‘100 Words of Solitude’ (Rare Swan Press, 2021)
Selective Conference and Seminar Presentations
FAME – ‘Picture Book Power’ panel (November 2023 – Orlando, Florida)
SCBWI Children’s Book Changemakers’ Conference (June 2023)
English Language Writers of Cyprus (November 2021 – European University Cyprus)
Migration, Inclusion and Identity in Cyprus and the Middle East (May 2021 – Sharq.org)
Commonwealth Writers Program Cyprus (June 2019)
Selective Research Funding/ Grant Capture
Bullet point list of some selective research projects/research funding
Program/Call, Project Title, Project Role (researcher, assistant, primary investigator, work package leader, etc.), Funding Amount, start year- end year.
Consultancy and CPD Training
(last 6 months only as have been doing regular CPD training for over 20 years!)
‘Recommendations for VET Providers on Including People with a Disability in Erasmus+ Professional Mobility’ Go For VET
AI in Education
Planning: starter & plenary activities and Adaptive Learning
Scholarships/Awards
SCBWI – Stephen Fraser Encouragement Award 2023
Awards/Accolades for ‘Tomatoes in My Lunchbox’:
A Kirkus Best Book 2022 – ‘Most Empowering’
A Bookstagang Best Book ‘Future Classic’ 2022
Sunday Morning with Rodney Lear ‘Recommended Summer Reading List’ 2022
An Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award 2023 finalist
SSYRA Jr Award 2023-2024 finalist
A Sunday Morning Magazine with Rodney Lear ‘Best of the Best from Past 10 Years’ selection 2023
2023-2024 Chickadee Award finalist
2023-2024 FLA Children’s Book Award
FLTA Stanford University 2007-2008
Fulbright Scholar (undergraduate) 1998
Other Scholarly and Outreach Activities
Bicommunal Work (outreach):
‘Winds of Change’ advisor (windsofchange-cyprus.com Cyprus – 2023)
‘Bold Leaders’, Greek-Speaking Cypriot Team Leader & facilitator (CMLE, Denver, Colordo – USA – 2005, 2006, 2007)
Oregon State University, English teachers Bi-communal Programme, Participant (Corvallis, Oregon – USA – 2003)
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