Neil Nixon - One Page Biography

 I've been a professional writer and lecturer my whole working life.  In this time I've consistently worked to develop new projects and produce innovative ideas.  My writing includes ten published books of my own and contributions to many more printed works.  I've written for radio, television and the stage earning nominations for a Sony Radio Award [for best single drama] and Richard Imison Memorial Award.  My work helped the digital station Oneword Radio achieve the honour of Digital Station of the Year at the 2002 Sony Radio Academy Awards.

My published works include factual titles on Creative Writing and the media, an acclaimed football memoir and a cutting edge humour novel.  All have received complementary reviews.

In the field of education I have over twenty years experience in both Further and Higher Education, leading developments in new curriculum areas.  During almost ten years of management in Further Education I was involved at least one course development per year.  Notable achievements in this area include the development and leading of the UK's first full–time Higher Education course devoted entirely to Professional Writing.

I have also served as an educational consultant helping to pioneer the development of new courses and working as a writer and technical editor of training materials for organisations including Edexcel and the Further Education National Consortium.

Clients for my writing and broadcasting include The Guardian, Times Educational Supplement, NME, BBC Radio Four and BBC Choice.

CURRICULUM VITAE

PROFILE:

Freelance journalist, writer and author for 25 years with experience of factual, fictional and public relations work. Clients include BBC, Guinness Publications and Rough Guides.

Staff Manager and lecturer with 24 years broad–based experience in public sector.

Skills Include:

Writing/Reporting – Published author. Twelve books published as author. Contributions to over twenty books currently in print and others in development. Television and radio script writer. Advertising writer and copywriter for a range of products including greetings cards, leaflets and training materials.

Management Skills — Responsibility for staffing, budget and resources of large section within college. Experience of planning, negotiation and implementation of policy to deal with major initiatives. Successfully completed 1 year management module within masters degree.

Communication/Presentation — 25 years lecturing and training work with groups of all academic levels. Presentations on own work to major conferences and conventions. Freelance speaker with experience of live audience, television and radio work. Live performances in support of published written work including readings and publicity events.

Research — Thorough knowledge of research methods gained through directed studies on masters degree and extensive work researching for writing and lecturing.

MAJOR QUALIFICATIONS:

Master of Arts in Creative Writing —  2007
Master of Arts in Education —  1990
BA [Hons] in Communication Studies  â€” 1981

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

2004 – Present

Co–director and co–founder of Penniesworld, educational media company. Planning, product development and management within company. Media Officer for Pennies Day Nurseries.

2000 – Present

Division Team Leader for Media at North West Kent College.
Responsible for development, management and academic leadership on all Media and related courses including Professional Writing.

1981 – Present
Freelance Writer and Journalist.
Recent employers include: Guinness Publications, Rough Guides, Ladybird Books, BBC Radio Four (see enclosed bibliography).

1995 – 2000
Head of School for Media and Communication at North West Kent College.
Managed staff, budget, resources.  Staff management responsibilities included team of three division leaders with management responsibilities of their own.  Cross–college responsibility for publicity and marketing.  Major responsibilities for on–going course development in Media, Art and Popular Music.

1991 – 1995
Section Leader for Humanities at North West Kent College.  Managed section of 17 staff.  Managed budgets and resources.  Given major development role concerning introduction of Resource Based Learning programme.  Introduced Media Studies and Performing Arts programmes and substantial development of existing Access programme.  Assigned cross–college responsibly for resource based learning and publicity.

1990 – 1991
Publicity Officer at Thurrock Technical College.  Maintained links with media outlets, publicized all major college events and sought regular coverage of courses and other activities.  Monitored all media coverage and organized all aspect of advertising within media.

1987 – 1990
Lecturer in Media Studies — Thurrock Technical College:
Co–ordinated all Media Studies provision within college.  Initiated and developed new courses.  Researched needs of employers and student markets.  Controlled budgets.  Across–college responsibilities for marketing and promotion of courses, staff development and co–ordination of industrial outreach work.

1982 – 1987
Lecturer in Communication Studies — Thurrock Technical College.
Co–ordination and delivery of Communications courses.  Development of courses and liaison with employers and course tutors.

1981 – 1982
Lecturer (Part–time) in Communications and General Studies — Carlisle Technical College.
Development and delivery of courses for vocational students.  Organisation of outside activities for students.

1981 – 1982
Lecturer (Part–time) in Communications and General Studies — West Cumbria College.
Development and delivery of courses.  Staff development work for YTS provision.

1977 – 1981
Various part–time employment whilst studying.
Employers included:  BBC Radio Newcastle, BBC Radio Carlisle.

EDUCATION:

2005–2007
Master of Arts in Creative Writing — Canterbury Christchurch University. Studies in the Art of Short Fiction, the Art of the Novel. Research projects on epiphanies in short fiction and Creative Nonfiction. Production of short stories and longer fiction.

1988 – 1990
Master of Arts in Education — The Open University.  Studies in Educational Management, Evaluation of Education, Research Methods in Education.

1978 – 1981
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Communication Studies — Sunderland Polytechnic 2.2 Division.
Studies of Communication Industry and personal aspects of Communication.

1978
2 "A" level passes.

1976 – 1977
7 "O" level passes.

TRAINING:

1983 – 1985
Certificate in Education (FE) — Essex Institute of Higher Education.
In–service qualification combining studies of Education Theory and Practical Skills in teaching.

1984 – 1985
RSA Vocational Preparation Teachers Certificate — Thurrock Technical College.
Specialist teaching qualification based on curriculum development for Further Education.

PERSONAL DETAILS:

Nationality – British
Current Driving Licence  
Leisure interests: running, reading and music.

BIBLIOGRAPHY (SELECTIVE)