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I’m an ambitious, outgoing, and vivacious writer, currently in my second year of studying English at the University of Cambridge, where I also work as a Section Editor and Staff Writer for Varsity, the independent student newspaper.
I have an outstanding work ethic, showcased by my top A Level grades of A in English Literature*, A in Drama*, A in Psychology, and A in an English EPQ on literary morality. I’ve also had poetry and short stories published in collections as well as student zines, in addition to writing a play that has been performed and developed by a local theatre.
At Cambridge, I am the Co-President of the Shirley Society—the oldest literary society in Cambridge—for which I compile and edit a zine of student writing and plan weekly meetings and collaborations. I’m also the Events Manager and Poetry Editor for The Catherine Zine, which is a college publication centring women’s issues and feminist writing.
Outside of my course, I work as an online mentor, tutor, swimming teacher, and lifeguard. I have extensive experience in teaching, leading, and communicating with a people of all ages and abilities, refined by these roles.
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Director of Studies in English, St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge
Author of Textile Shakespeare, Shakespeare and Memory.
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“Ruby remains one of the most original and able students I’ve taught, fizzing with enthusiasm and an enviable ability to make connections between texts and ideas. I hope that she’s been able to display her rare talents in the exams; I suspect that Part II will suit her better—a larger and more capacious canvas—but whatever the numbers say, she is a wonder, a staunch friend to others, and an absolute delight to work with.”
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Fellow at St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge, Teaching English
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“As ever, it was a delight working with Ruby. I especially admire her commitment to try new and varied modes of analysis - an essay focusing on rhetorical tropes was followed by one on phonemic analysis, for instance. Ruby's writing is very good, and we discussed some of the ways in which it can improve. In particular, combining the empirical forensic approach with the larger interpretative stakes, so that her brilliantly detailed noticings work in the service of a sustained line of argument.”
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As President of the Shirley Society, I manage the content and running of our instagram page, @shirleysociety as well as weekly email communications. Since starting, I’ve made promotional videos for the society, established and promoted a mailing list, and liaised with college staff and other literary societies to set up new meetings across the university with different formats.
In the coming year, I’m embarking on a new social media campaign called ‘Shirley Speaks Out’ to broaden the society’s impact. I’ve been in contact with a variety of professional writers and some famous alumni, as well as amateur writers in the faculty and student body to make a collection of lo-fi Instagram content and longer form podcasts discussing and reading literature and original writing. For the campaign, I am also collaborating with illustrators to create a strong brand identity and logo, and designing Instagram posts using Canva in a cohesive style for its launch in the New Year.
In the summer of 2024, I worked with a political group to save the Summer Pool in a small village in the Normandy region in France. The campaign is run by the former owner of the pool, and local swimming teacher, Pascal Coutrot. For this campaign I volunteered in creating the left logo and corresponding with Pascal in written French to make requested changes and sort out the rights to their free use of my artwork. I’m still in contact with Pascal, and continue to challenge my French skills by refusing the use of a translator in doing so. I developed skills in digital and multilingual communications, brand design, and understanding the legal intricacies of working with brands through this experience.
(This portfolio was proudly made without the use of Artificial Intelligence, just my little old noggin).