Beginning My PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University

In October 2026, I will begin my PhD in Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University, where I will be researching the relationship between contemporary visual art and literature.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of family, friends, colleagues, and supporters, I have already reached an important milestone: the first instalment of my international tuition fees has now been paid.

The next major step is securing my UK Student Visa.

To submit my visa application in early August, I now need to raise approximately €3,800 to cover the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge required by the UK Government. Once this stage is complete, I will have cleared the final major administrative step before moving to Manchester at the beginning of October to begin my PhD.

Every contribution brings me one step closer to making that move a reality. With my departure for Manchester now in sight, each milestone brings that moment a little closer.

What My PhD Is About

My research explores how visual artists and writers can work together through the practice of ekphrasis—the literary engagement with works of art.

Rather than treating ekphrasis simply as the literary description of works of art, the project asks how artists and writers can enter into creative dialogue, opening new possibilities for collaboration across visual art, literature, art history, criticism, and theory.

The research builds on more than twenty years of professional experience as an artist, curator, educator, and arts director, and represents the next stage of a long-term commitment to contemporary artistic research.

Why I Am Raising Funds

Undertaking a PhD as an international student in the United Kingdom involves substantial costs, particularly tuition fees and immigration expenses.

Alongside this campaign, I continue to apply for scholarships, grants, and teaching opportunities, and I intend to work while studying to help support my living costs.

This campaign is helping me reach each milestone required to begin my studies.

Current campaign milestones include:

First tuition instalment — Paid

Student Visa — Next milestone (approximately €3,800)

How Your Support Helps

Every contribution helps me move one step closer to beginning my PhD in Manchester this October.

Your support is helping me:

begin my PhD in October 2026

continue my work as an artist, researcher, and educator

develop new research into the relationship between visual art and literature

If you're unable to donate, sharing the campaign is another wonderful way to help.

Thank You

Reaching this stage has taken many years of work, persistence, and the encouragement of an extraordinary community of people.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far.

Whether through a donation, sharing the campaign, or simply following the project, your encouragement has played an important part in helping me reach this point.

I look forward to sharing each milestone with you as the journey continues.