Invitation to Learn

Francis Clark-Lowes

Leaving school at 16, I started work in a locomotive factory in Manchester. Later I went to college and gained a BSc in Sociology. For some years I worked as a civil servant, and then travelled round the world, going as far as Cairo by foot. After that I taught English, mainly in the Middle East, where I lived for over ten years. On my return to Britain I took a masters degree in the Psychology of Therapy and Counselling and I now works as a counsellor. My doctoral dissertation, which was largely biographical work on the early psychoanalyst Wilhelm Stekel, gave me useful insights into human motivation and the psychology of power. I have translated a number of biographical works from German, and helped edit a German autobiography. I have also edited the wartime correspondence of my parents. I started teaching the Background to World News classes in 2004. My interests include auto/biography, human rights, international relations, philosophy, music and walking.

Christine Hollywood

Christine has completed the MA in creative writing and personal development at Sussex University. At the moment she is working on a collection of poems. She also works as a freelance writer. Christine has written promotional material for local and national organisations and articles for print and online publications.