Melanie studied at Bangor University, completing her PhD in Contemporary Fiction there in 2004. Before joining Staffordshire University in 2006, Melanie taught in various UK Universities: Bangor University, the University of Nottingham, Derby University, Liverpool John Moores University and the Open University.
Professional memberships and activities
Melanie holds a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy.
Academic qualifications
PhD in contemporary literature: Remembering Identity After Postmodernity (2004), Bangor University
Post Graduate Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education (2004), Bangor University
MA in Gothic and Magical Realist Literature from a Feminist Perspective (1999) from Bangor University, winning the ‘John F. Denby Memorial Prize’ for postgraduate work.
BA Hons (1997) from Bangor University
Expertise
Melanie is developing ecocritical readings of contemporary fiction, particularly fiction which shows a marked departure from the concerns of postmodernity. More specifically, at present Melanie is working on the writing of contemporary British novelist and short-story writer Sarah Hall, presenting her work at conferences.
Research interests
Contemporary fiction, literature after postmodernism, ecocriticism, magical realism, postcolonial fiction, Gothic fiction, gender studies.
Teaching
At first-year, level 4, Melanie leads the modules ‘Introduction to English Studies’ and ‘Writing for Success!’, while also team-teaching on the ‘British Literature After 1945’ module.
Melanie’s current second- and third-year option modules include:
‘Magical Realism: From Flying Carpets to Urban Angels’.
‘Nature Now: Dreams and Nightmares in the Contemporary Ecosphere’
‘Global Voices: Stories of Empire’
‘Gothic Fiction’
Publications
Burnham, D and M. Ebdon (2009) ‘Philosophy, Literature and Interpretation’ in J. Mullarkey and B. Lord The Continuum Companion to Continental Philosophy. Continuum: London.