What is special about the MA
Applied Arts and Social Practice
course?
There are several elements that make this
course unique. For example, we’re the only
course in Scotland that’s really looking at
this subject from a practical, experiential
level. And that practical, experiential level
means that the students can guide their
dissertation project in a way that is unique
and specific to them. So the student
can really guide their own learning. The
dissertation project is also quite practical.
You don’t just do a classroom reflection,
you do a project linked with a national,
international, or local organisation that
could for example be linked to a national
theatre company, you could be working
with the NHS, you could be working in
schools. Something that is unique and
specific to you. And that’s what makes
the course unique, the student really drives
it and it’s what is best for them. We help
them to deliver that.
within a lot of our learning here at QMU.
Second of all, QMU has a long history of
social justice, and therefore a lot of the
applied arts theories and principles are
embedded into what we do so there’s
a big link internationally. Lastly, we’re in
Edinburgh. We’re in one of the biggest
festival cities there is in the world. The
possibilities are endless. ❒
Why QMU?
Well first of all, Scotland has a huge history
in applied arts and social practice, and we
really value that history and we embed that
from QMU and life as a playwright
and incredibly useful to have
taken part in.
Although it wasn’t specifically
linked to my course, I loved
working with the Costume
Design and Construction
students and taking part in
their costume showcase.
How did your lecturers
support your learning?
The lecturers at QMU were very
supportive and helped me to
find the element of theatre that
I wanted to turn into my career.
If I hadn’t taken the third year
Playwriting module with Dr
Ksenija Horvat, I don’t think I
would be doing what I am now.
Can you tell us about your
life post-graduation?
After graduating from QMU,
I went to the University
of York to study an MA in
Theatre: Writing, Directing
and Performance, before
further study at Stockholm
University. I also worked for
the Carnegie Trust for the
Universities of Scotland for
a couple of years; they fund
students and research at
Scottish universities.
I have also been working as
a playwright and have had
my work performed at the
Theatre Royal York, the Outwith
Festival, and by Lyceum Youth
Theatre and Strange Town
Youth Theatre. I also wrote
one of the Breakfast Plays for
the Traverse Theatre in 2019.
In 2018, I had a play shortlisted
for the Young Pleasance
Playwriting competition, and
in 2019 I became a mentored
playwright with Playwrights’
Studio Scotland.
What was the most valuable
lesson that you learned
while at Queen Margaret
University?
If someone suggests you read
something, just read it and
don’t worry about what other
people are doing. Always focus
on yourself. ❒
QMYOU / Creative Industries
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