University of Manchester
Visiting Lecturer / Graduate Teaching Assistant – Sept 2020 to present
Manchester, United Kingdom
I currently teach on two undergraduate modules that introduce students to the relationships between screen media, culture, and society. In Screen, Culture & Society (Drama, UG 2nd Year) we explore how film and television reflect, respond to, and shape social and political questions. Topics include feminism and the ‘female gaze’, intersectionality, representation, and the ethics of spectatorship. Each week, students engage with a core screening – from classic cinema to contemporary television – using it as a springboard to analyse broader cultural and ideological contexts.
On the Introduction to World Cinemas (School of Arts, Languages & Culture, UG 1st Year) module, I teach students about a range of global film traditions beyond Hollywood, focusing on how different national and regional cinemas articulate local identities, histories, and cultural values. We consider how these films circulate globally and how they’re received by international audiences. I support students in thinking about cinema as both an artistic and political medium, using case studies from East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cinemas, among others. In both modules, I design and deliver learning activities, lead discussions, and guide students in developing their analytical, writing, and research skills.
In 2021, I also delivered a guest lecture for the module Virtual Realities (Drama, UG 3rd Year) which explored how VR is used in screen media and performance. The session focused on how audiences experience digital and immersive environments in subjective and embodied ways. For example, how VR can shift our role from viewer to active participant – inviting us to engage with stories by inhabiting virtual worlds. We discussed how elements such as identity, emotion, and physical presence affect the way we navigate and interpret these experiences. The session encouraged students to consider how VR challenges traditional forms of storytelling and spectatorship by creating more personal, interactive, and immersive encounters.
University of Manchester
PhD Researcher – Sept 2019 to Apr 2025
Manchester, United Kingdom
My doctoral research in media and cultural studies explored transcultural engagement in digital game play, with a particular focus on how the idea of culture and “cultural meaning” is experienced, interpreted, and negotiated by anglophone players of Japanese role-playing games. Over the course of the PhD, I developed a new qualitative method that combined autoethnographic diary writing with reception analysis to investigate how cultural identity is negotiated during gameplay. Managing this multi-year project required structuring and delivering all stages independently, from literature review and ethics approval to data mining and analysis, as well as final editing and submission – while adhering to strict timelines and institutional protocols.
I regularly liaised with academic staff, external readers, and university administrators, maintaining clear documentation and ensuring compliance with ethical and data protection standards. The research also involved public-facing tasks such as organising presentations and preparing complex findings into accessible formats for different audiences. Alongside my core research, I managed travel and funding documentation for conferences, kept detailed records of my project development, and handled confidential data securely. This experience required initiative, precise communication, and extensive long-term planning.
Manchester Metropolitan University
PA to Director of Technical Services – Dec 2018 to Sep 2019
Manchester, United Kingdom (On-site)
In this role, I managed the diaries of four senior managers, balancing competing demands and proactively resolving scheduling conflicts to ensure smooth coordination across the department. Meeting organisation was a core part of my responsibilities – from booking rooms and arranging catering to preparing agendas and taking minutes, I oversaw every stage of planning and follow-up, including the tracking of actions. This attention to detail extended to maintaining Finance and HR records, where accuracy and timeliness were essential for day-to-day operations.
Travel planning was another key area, requiring me to coordinate multiple bookings across domestic and international locations. I handled train, hotel, and flight arrangements, often at short notice, ensuring that logistical changes were accommodated without disruption. I also took on departmental purchasing, using the corporate purchasing card to manage transactions efficiently and in line with internal protocols.
Beyond day-to-day administrative work, I supported senior leadership by designing presentations tailored to diverse audiences, including both internal colleagues and external stakeholders. I also led on the coordination of large-scale events such as conferences, management training sessions, and national showcases. This involved liaising with senior figures across the institution, negotiating with venues, and maintaining oversight of logistics to ensure events ran smoothly. Additionally, I worked closely with academic staff to ensure technical support was in place for teaching, and managed a range of general office functions – from call handling and resource ordering to using the P2P system for procurement – ensuring the office environment functioned efficiently and professionally.
Dr. Laura Arnott 