Conducting doctoral research at the Centre for Urban History from 2000 to 2003 gave me a big foot-up the ladder in pursuing a career in higher education. First of all, it allowed me to secure an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship, which I also held at CUH, from 2003 to 2004. During this year I broadened my doctoral research in preparation for writing my first book, wrote a few articles (including one for the well known Urban History), attended various seminars and conferences, and did a spot of teaching. Secondly, since September 2004 I have been employed as Lecturer in Economic and Social History at the University of Edinburgh. Although a temporary post, this job has helped me take the next step up the career ladder.

I have expanded my teaching experience, including a spot of lecturing (which isn't as frightening as it might at first appear!) and a not insignificant amount of marking (I write this with a pile of exam scripts perched menacingly on the edge of my desk!) I have also been able to work closely with R.J. Morris, a leading social and urban historian, and other colleagues with strong research interests in urban history, who have made constructive comments on my ongoing research. I'm now looking forward to the next challenge, wherever it may take me, and I shall continue to use those skills developed during my time at CUH to carve out a career in higher education.