Your Learning Advisors

Hi, I’m Elise.

I am the Writing Support Programs Coordinator at the University of Adelaide. I have a PhD in Literature, Master's degree in Applied Linguistics, a Graduate Certificate in Education (TESOL), an Honours degree in Anthropology, and Bachelor degrees in International Studies and Development Studies. I’m passionate about helping students to reach their academic potential and seeing them succeed in their studies.

Outside of the office, I work as a motorsport official, enjoy reading literature, and write short stories and poetry.

Hello, I'm Anna.

I completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in experimental and theoretical physics, and am now a postgraduate student researching and writing about high-energy particles.

In my spare time I love hiking, visiting the oldest second-hand bookshops I can find and staying up too late writing short stories.

Hello, I'm Anj.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in languages, a first-class Honours in History (for which I was awarded the Tinline Prize), a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Graduate Diploma in TESOL and an MPhil in Creative Writing. I have taught French, History and English in secondary schools and English to adult migrants in the tertiary sector. This year I am continuing with my Bachelor of Languages and am undertaking Advanced German.

I love learning other languages, travelling, reading history, and writing stories. I also enjoy staying fit. I look forward to helping you at the Writing Centre.

Hi, I'm Kym.

I completed a PhD on change management and universities, and the models of change adopted by university leaders. I also completed studies in law and computer science. I have a passion for supporting and working with students, having also taught over many years in IT, law and marketing.

For fun, I love to read (while listening to an eclectic mix of music) and haunt all sorts of bookstores, walk our beautiful girl (Tasha the dog), and take lots of photos.

Hi, my name is Melanie.

I completed a BSc with Honours in Genetics before undertaking a PhD, exploring the ethical and social implications of the genetic testing of children. I also have a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and am a keen learner of languages myself. 

I enjoy a fairly eclectic mix of books, films and music but, in particular, am a devotee of existential philosophy and literature.

Hi, I'm Emma.

I have a BA and Honours degree in English literature and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Adelaide, a CELTA qualification, and a Graduate Certificate of Editing and Publishing. I've worked at the University of Adelaide for many years as a teacher and lecturer of both undergraduate and postgraduate students, in English literature, creative writing, research skills (across all disciplines), and English as a second language (ESL). I really enjoy helping students in the Writing Centre. Apart from my teaching and advising roles, I'm also a writer and a student (currently studying towards a Bachelor of Visual Art) which helps me to keep up to date with the expectations and challenges of tertiary study. 

 I have many interests, including reading, writing, learning languages, going to the theatre and the cinema, and playing tennis.

Hi, I'm Oliver.

I’m currently a researcher and postgraduate student at the University of Adelaide, holding degrees in Psychological Science and Philosophy. My research interests sit broadly within cognitive science and human interaction with artificial intelligence. This work concerns anthropomorphism, trust, decision-making, agency, mind perception, and consciousness. I’m based between the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) and the School of Psychology.

In my spare time, I enjoy vehicle restoration projects, creating music, and engaging in philosophical debates. Through the Writing Centre, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to support students during their academic journeys.

Hello, I’m Simon-Peter.

I am a Creative Writing PhD candidate and Research Assistant. I specialise in Existentialist Fiction, Novels of the Anthropocene, and Critical-Creative modes of research. I’m also an Arts in Health Facilitator at Flinders Medical Centre where I teach patients to explore creative writing. Previously, I was the Co-Editor for reviews at the academic journal TEXT.

When I help students, I look to build confidence in their work and help them to take ownership of their progress. If you need some help with your assignments, would like to develop your ideas, or are looking for someone to talk to about your university studies, book an appointment with the Writing Centre and I’ll be happy to support.

Outside of the office I enjoy reading fiction and historical non-fiction, writing both prose and poetry, catching a good film and going to live gigs.

Hi, I'm Cam.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Creative Writing and Gender Studies, and am currently completing a PhD that explores autistic embodiment.

In my spare time, I enjoy writing fiction, playing the piano, and cat cuddles.

Hi, I’m Hannah.

I completed an MPhil in French Studies, concentrating principally on the notions of performativity and theatricality in the works of the Romantic poet Marceline Desbordes-Valmore. I currently work as a course coordinator and tutor in the French and English departments here at Adelaide. I love helping students develop their language skills, both in my role at the Writing Centre and as a teacher. I particularly enjoy working with first-year students and helping them transition to life at university.

Outside of work, I love going to the cinema, reading (particularly Australian contemporary fiction) and hiking. I’m also an avid fan of cycling and spend many late nights each year up watching the Tour de France.

Hello, I’m Rachel.

My professional life has been a collage of legal practice, teaching, research, management and more recently, bookselling, writing and consulting. I have a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Bachelor of Creative Arts, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education and a PhD in Creative Writing. My research interests include Law and Literature and the overlap between life writing (biography, memoir etc) and true crime writing.

I am an avid reader and collector of all sorts of books, so I love bookshops and libraries. I am a volunteer member of several boards of not for profit organisations. I also like walking, knitting, creative journalling, watching films in independent cinemas and speaking French with fellow Francophiles. I really enjoy helping students to find and express their own voice through their writing.

Hi, I’m Jessica (she/her).

As a feminist sociologist, I’m interested in how systems of privilege and disadvantage are produced, sustained, and resisted. My research has examined health inequities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, compared sexual citizenship policies across national contexts, explored how sites such as engineering workplaces and print media are gendered, and investigated the meanings of ageing and belonging within intentional lesbian retirement communities.

Drawing on hooks (1994), who reminds us that learning is a practice of freedom, my aim at the Writing Centre is to nurture your capacity to think critically, connect your writing to your authentic voice, and contribute meaningfully to the issues that matter most.

Outside of the Writing Centre, I work as a consultant, coach, and lecturer— facilitating subjects ranging from gender and intimacy to leadership and innovation. I also teach yoga, perform in theatre, and bring my lived experience as a parent of a beautifully neurodivergent kiddo into my deep commitment to inclusive practice in all that I do.

I look forward to meeting you!

Alex Mader is an academic researcher, mentor and tutor, specialising in neurodivergence and music technology (currently studying their PhD at the Elder Conservatorium). With their professional background as an audio engineer and music producer, Alex has extensive experience working one-on-one with clients to solve complex technical problems and achieve creative goals. Alex’s research expertise across the humanities helps them provide tailored and effective support to students from a wide range of backgrounds and subject fields, and their lived experience as a neurodivergent person informs their empathetic and honest communication style.