Sue is a published poet with a particular interest in the processes of writing poetry and how these are taught in schools. Before joining the School of Education, Sue taught English in secondary schools for 16 years, for 8 of these she was a Head of English. She also worked as a course tutor at the University of Nottingham and for the Open University. Sue has run courses on many aspects of English, especially poetry teaching and A-level English, as well as other elements of continuing professional development including group work, gender in education and Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) induction. Sue is a member of the education working group of the national Poetry Archive, a consultant for the Poetry Society and a member of Poetry Class. She is an external evaluator for the Spoken Word Education programme and is also a member of the First Story East Midlands regional advisory board.
Sue was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in July 2011 and a University Teaching Fellowship in 2008 in recognition of her teaching excellence. She is the Editor of English in Education a peer-reviewed academic journal which publishes research from experienced researchers worldwide and new voices in the academic community. Sue convened a four part ESRC Poetry Matters seminar series with colleagues Dr Anthony Wilson and Professor Andrew Lambirth from Exeter and Greenwich universities in 2011-12.
Here at the School of Education, Sue is the academic course leader for the Secondary PGCE programme and a tutor for the Secondary PGCE English course. Additionally, she supervises PhD students with interests in different aspects of Secondary English and Drama education. These include: poetry pedagogy; use of ICT and drama; creativity and Post-16 English learning and teaching.