What is your fondest memory of St. Catherine's?

It’s hard to pick just one moment, but I really loved my Friday’s in Year 13. I had four periods of English Literature HL followed by Art HL so I spent the whole day doing what I loved; analysing literature and painting. A very strong memory that comes to mind is the general memory of all the laughter and joy during my school years, as well as the cosiness of the lower school. 

What was the most important thing you learned at St. Catherine's?

When I was a student in St Catherine’s, it was very international with people coming and going almost every year, so I learnt to develop friendships quickly and the importance of staying in touch. 

How did St. Catherine's help you on your path?

I have really fond memories of many of my teachers throughout the years. Teachers such as Ms Mengos in the nursery, Ms Krasoudaki and Ms Grantham in the lower school, and Ms Peters, Ms Gunn, Ms Stewart and Ms Adamopoulou in the upper school (to name a few.) They really shaped my interests in literature, the arts, history but also in teaching. I still think about their lessons and the example they set in kindness but also in motivating students to think creatively and critically. 

What did you do after graduating from St. Catherine's?

I completed a BA (2017) and MA (2018) in English Literature at the University of Exeter in the UK. I then took a year out and worked in legal publishing in London whilst developing my PhD application to the University of Exeter. Since 2019, I have been studying for my PhD, mostly in Exeter but also briefly in London and from Athens. I have just passed the viva voce exam and have been awarded a PhD in English Literature. 

Whilst studying, I have also been working as a teaching associate in the English department at the University of Exeter, teaching an introduction to philosophy class, a class on the poem, and a class on the impact of political and cultural crises on and in literature. 

What was your first job after finishing school and what do you currently do?

My first proper job was as an assistant editor for a legal publisher in London following my master’s, but I had also completed a publishing internship and worked as a summer camp counsellor during the summer breaks whilst I was studying. The assistant editor position was interesting because although I had the title of “assistant” I was responsible for the production of eight legal guides per year, from the initial proofreading stage up to the final print round and online publication of the guide, which was aimed at lawyers working on international issues.

What are your top 3-5 career highlights and why do they stand out to you?

This is very specific to academia but it would have to be: 

• Achieving a first class honours degree in my MA and realising I have the grades to apply to the PhD programme 
• Presenting at my first international conference, the American Comparative Literature Association in Chicago, 2023. 
• Presenting a paper about The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak and her liking the conference’s tweet about my paper! 
• The viva voce exam for my PhD. It was a nerve-wracking but also fantastic, critical analysis of my work with three incredible academics I admire. 

What do you like to do for fun?

Reading, drawing, and travelling.

What are you most proud of - not just professionally - but also as a person?

What fills me most with pride is seeing my students grow and develop their analytical skills as well as their confidence. At 18 years old, it is usually their first time away from home and it is difficult to learn to juggle looking after yourself and academic work, as well as the leap from secondary to tertiary level education. I really enjoy teaching at university level and seeing how much a set text or a class dynamic can inspire my students. 

Want to be our next spotlight? Email us at alumni@stcatherines.gr or submit your Spotlight directly here. 

Curious to read about other St. Cats alumni? Check out our previous Alumni Spotlights!