Poet Mandy "loves" first taste of university

Award-winning poet Mandy Coe had her first taste of university at Liverpool John Moores – and has come away as a Doctor!

The Liverpool-based writer, author of six books and winner of the Manchester Poetry Prize, celebrated achieving her PhD in Creative Writing at Liverpool Cathedral today (July 9).

“I have loved every bit of it - having a student card to flash, rooting through the library shelves. Even rehearsing Viva answers aloud while planting beans at the allotment,” she said.

“My 1970s education was sparse to say the least but a LJMU scholarship allowed me to experience being a student for the very first time and it was wonderful.”

Sarah Maclennan, Programme Leader Creative Writing at LJMU, who followed Mandy’s progress said it was inspirational to see the poet at work and a great coup for the university.

“The PhD was her first opportunity to take stock of her lifetime of work,” said Sarah.

Mandy describes her thesis as ‘autoethnographic’ and based on her experiences of decades of writing and teaching. It considers obstacles placed in the way of learners and explores ways in which creativity helps us overcome them – a poignant topic in these educationally-challenged times!

It builds on a constant theme in her life as a staunch educationalist who believes that “poetry for children brings literature to life and into our lives in a way no other genre can.” 

She has been quoted as saying: “Children dive into poetry with the same natural ease as swimmers into water, climbers into trees and sleepers into dreams. (Its) narrative, rhythm and vibrant imagery is the real language of childhood.”

Her success as a writer has been hailed by literary giants such as Carol Ann Duffy, Sir Andrew Motion and Jean Sprackland. And she attributes her impact to “a mixture of passion and stubbornness. All magnified by my hometown of Liverpool, a place that lives and breathes art and culture. Creativity is in our social DNA and we repress it at our peril. I feel blessed to have found my way into such a career.”

Thanking her supervisors, technicians and brilliant library staff, Mandy added: “The LJMU community is a kind and supportive one: an ideal setting for a Big Adventure such as a PhD!”

“The title of PhD formalises a lifelong love of learning and signifies my curiosity being channelled into research. I'm also looking into Visiting Research Fellowships - so my learning adventure can continue.”

For more information about Mandy Coe and her writing.