Professional
My professional interest in narrative spans from mass-consumed forms (such as the analysis of news, popular film and culture) to stories at their most intimate (such as fiction writing and teaching).
2013 - present Principal Narrative Modeler, Sirius-Beta Inc., Virginia.
2006 - 2009 Narrative Modelling Consultant: Earl Research, Virginia
In this privately-sponsored project, I contributed expert knowledge towards the development of a new model of artificial intelligence, using narrative principles.
2008 Tutor (part-time) University of Melbourne, Melbourne
Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice – poetry, fiction, non-fiction, scriptwriting. I designed diverse practical tutorial activities to complement the syllabus of this large first year writing class (130 students).
2004 - 2006 Manager, Editorial and Publishing Data: Project Syndicate, Prague
In addition to redesigning monitoring methods, I edited and ghost-wrote columns for the Science Series, as well as taking over the organisation’s involvement with Africa. I convinced Nobel laureates Desmond Tutu and Wangari Maathai to become contributors, and ensured that the collapse of the Ethiopian elections, in 2006, received international attention.
2001 - 2004 Senior Media Analyst and Trainer: Media Monitors Australia, Sydney (Now isentia)
As senior analyst, I tracked the behaviours of narrative through all the formats of mass media. I have a knack for picking up unusual indicators of where the coverage is heading (for example, how people in photos accompanying the story are dressed). One of my reports won first place in the international AMEC Awards in 2003. I also conducted analysis training and mentored junior staff.
1997 - 2002 Teacher (part-time): Sydney Institute of Technology, Sydney
Foundation Studies – ESL, adult literacy, tutorial support.
During five years of teaching classes and tutoring individuals in Adult Basic Education, I prepared lessons, conducted classes and supervised the development of students.
1995 Co-Editor: Berkeley Guide to Mexico 1996, Random House, San Francisco
I oversaw all phases of this guidebook: research, content, writer hiring, training, style development, budget management, and deadlines. The Berkeley Guides series was published in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ.
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2009 • Grant to reside in Palo Alto for a three-month collaboration with Keith Devlin, Executive Director H-Star Institute, Stanford Unversity, awarded by the University of Melbourne.
2009 • Grant to attend Intelligent Narrative Technologies II conference, awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI).
2007 • Grants to attend AAAI Symposium and ISIS-Symmetry conferences, awarded by the University of Melbourne.
2007 • Grant to attend Intelligent Narrative Technologies conference, from AAAI.
2007 • APA scholarship (PhD tuition and stipend).
2003 • First Place in Best Use of Communication Planning category, the International Association of Media Evaluation Companies Awards, London.
2003 • Grant to attend International Symmetry Festival, Budapest, by the Australian Network for the Arts and Technology (ANAT).
1999 • Three-week writing residency fellowship, Eleanor Dark Foundation. 1998 • National Shortlist, HQ / Flamingo Short Story Competition.
1999 • One-week writing mentorship fellowship, Eleanor Dark Foundation.
1996 • The University Day Student Award for outstanding contributions to the arts and community, awarded by the University of Wollongong.
1995 • First place in The Eisner Prize, U.C. Berkeley’s most prestigious award for literature.