Specialist in dissertation writing and researching and passionate to help others with their academic and university skills! Recently graduated with a Distinction in MPhil Modern Theology from Oxford U

Find out more about Amelia

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  When I was an undergraduate student, a lot of my friends would come to me for advice with their essays. I discovered that they found what I could offer really helpful - idea development, structuring and proofreading, for example. I already had a background in tutoring through art, so developing to become a dissertation and writing tutor seemed to happen naturally. I have always loved writing and studying, so I am really pleased to have found this avenue of work.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  Teaching essay writing is amazing because I learn so much from my students. I have helped people write dissertations in veterinary physiology, Islamic studies, craft and sports psychology (just to name a few!), so I am constantly learning about a fascinating range of topics. Students often have a wonderful range of ideas, but academic writing is a very particular skill. It's sometimes a shame to hear how much they've had to struggle until this point, but it's a joy to see students who just haven't had enough resources or guidance begin to flourish.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I've been so blessed with the teachers I've had in my life. One that comes instantly to mind is Mr Mataya, my school art teacher from age 13-18. He was so inspiring because he cared so much about his subject and he was willing to both treat pupils as adults and have tonnes of fun with us too. It meant we could all develop as artists even from a really young age. Things that come to mind from the art room are: lying in a paddling pool filled with milk, wrapping ourselves in Christmas tree lights in the dark, and painting directly onto our faces and hands! He taught us to think through playing, but he also made sure we worked hard at our sketchbooks and painting too.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I think two really important skills to nurture as a tutor are patience and sympathy. People come to their studies from very different angles and experiences and people process information in amazingly varied ways. Having a "one size fits all" approach will never work - careful attention to the needs and individual talents of each student is the only way you can make sure to really help them.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I remember when my (now husband) was doing his art degree, he didn't think it was fair that he had to do a long dissertation when he had intentionally chosen a practical and creative subject. So, instead, he invited friends (myself included) who he loved chatting with over for dinner, and then set up a microphone in the centre of the table. I think he gave us a starting point of discussion - on the theme of knowledge or something similar. We all got talking and it ended up being a fantastic and edifying evening. The ideas were so dynamic and alive compared to ordinary essay-writing. He then typed the whole thing up and handed it in just like that! It was great.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Funnily enough, I find it a lot harder to edit and restructure my own work compared to when I'm working with students. I think when you're personally attached to what you're writing it's more difficult to step back and see it for what it is. Still, I have found that through working with students, I am constantly developing skills that I can then apply to my own writing, as well as theirs.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  My passion is 100% in academia, and all things related. I adore learning, and love watching other people get excited about their subject too. I have studied across a broad range of disciplines, and it's always very exciting to see them interlink and feed into each other. I could easily spend the rest of my life reading, writing, and talking about ideas!

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  That's a hard question to answer about yourself. All I know is that since I have been doing this I've had really encouraging, even heart-warming, feedback. I've helped some students go from a fail to a first, and seem to have given them confidence in areas where they had been really struggling. I don't know exactly what it is that makes this the case - but it seems to be working! And I love doing it.