Nicola Nuttall-Wood

Thesis title

A good death: Creating discursivity around end of life choices through design

Abstract

Research Question:  

How does a practice-based study of archives, place, oral histories, and creative writing provide the foundation for a reliable poetic biography of the Cornish poet, Charles Causley? 

This creative writing study uses archival, textual and oral research to corroborate information and inspire a poetic biography of Cornish poet, Charles Causley. The poetic biography will be a collection of poems which explores Causley’s life creatively in my own words. 

The research aims to corroborate evidence from archives, memories and texts to underpin a poetic biography - inspiring my own creative practice to produce a poetry collection and critical analysis of my research and creative practice. Its objectives include the creation of a well-researched and corroborated biography utilising the Causley archive, capturing living memories with (predominantly elderly) friends and colleagues, whilst extending my own knowledge-based, creative practice. 

The research context considers how a poetic biography creates a space for experimental and innovative practice, simultaneously providing a well-researched biographical record, considering the challenge if, like Causley, the subject is known privately and in poetic circles but is relatively unknown in wider society.  

It considers the intertextuality of poetry and biography and the ethical issues associated with biography creation - researching the place, time, and relationships affecting Causley’s life choices and his work. It uses innovative ways to maximise my connections (as Director of the Causley Trust), combining and corroborating underused research sources, then producing a rarely used creative response (poetic biography). There is a synergy and creative energy in a poet (myself), responding (through poetry) to the life of a poet (Causley), who wrote about his own life in his poems.  

Areas of expertise

• The life, work and legacy of Charles Causley 
• Creative writing (especially poetry and memoir writing) 
• Research impact 
• Charity governance 
• Charity fundraising 
• Change management 
• Advocacy and charity communications 

Qualifications

Honours and awards

Committee memberships

• Trustee of the Bishop’s Palace, Wells and the South-West Heritage Trust. 
• Secretary of the Group for Education in Museums 
• Board member of the Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy’s IPSO Oversight Group 

Professional engagements

• Director of the Charles Causley Trust and Tempus Fugit (consultancy)