Neil Cliff

Who am I?

I joined the Department of English at Manchester Metropolitan University as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in 2016. My doctoral research explores the links between historic and contemporary travel literatures through the interdisciplinary practice of geocriticism. Using early colonial and post-colonial travel narratives in English, I draw from the field of environmental humanities, ecocriticism, world-literary and postcolonial studies to develop new critical approaches in spatiality. I have presented both nationally and internationally on these subjects. Prior to my role as a GTA, I worked as an associate lecturer in English at MMU Cheshire.

I take a great deal of pride in my teaching practices across a range of subject areas in English Literary Studies; it is really rewarding to see how undergraduates further their academic journey by engaging in the critical analysis of texts whilst also broadening their knowledge of critical theory. I feel that one of my key strengths is facilitating classroom debate and generally encourage all students to try and 'find their academic voice' both in the seminar sessions as well as in the written work submitted for assessment, this is a key element of the academic experience.

I was born and raised in Manchester and feel a strong affinity to the city. I enjoy cycling, learning how to forget to play the guitar and generally being a family man :)

Why do I teach?

I teach because I love to see how people develop their academic confidence both on the page and also in the classroom. 

Words of wisdom

A great man once said ......."The world is like a ride in an amusement park. And when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills and it's very brightly colored and it's very loud and it's fun, for a while. Some people have been on the ride for a long time and they begin to question: "Is this real, or is this just a ride?" And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, they say: "Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride."............

How I’ll teach you

Mainly through classroom discussions, prompts and electronic resources. It is usually easy-going, relaxed and, from what I have been told, often fun and enjoyable. Sometimes it is full gas when it comes to theory and some literary criticism, but isn't that part of the deal? 

Academic and professional qualifications

2016 - Doctorate Candidate English Literature

2016 Postagraduate Certificate in Higher Education

2002 MA English Literature - MMU

2001 BA English Literature - MMU

Why study ?

Undergraduate courses

I teach across a range of undergraduate units at all levels. In recent years I have supervised a number of final year dissertations, these have generally been related to postcolonial literature and theory, spatial studies, travel writing and ecocriticism.