As a researcher

I'm a Lecturer in Publishing and English Studies at the University of Stirling in Scotland.

My research is driven by a fascination with how the publishing world actually works — who holds the power, who doesn't, and what that means for books, readers, and cultures around the world. My research project called Publishing Empires dug into this by putting one of the biggest players in global publishing, Penguin Random House, in conversation with the smaller publishing industries in Scotland, Ireland, and Sweden. That research led me to think about the international publishing landscape through a postcolonial lens — asking questions about who has the power to decide what and how stories get told around the world.

I'm also passionate about children's literature, particularly what it looks like when young people take an active role in creative and political worlds.

A woman with glasses and black hair smiling as she walks down a sidewalk in front of white row house buildings during springtime with blooming trees and parked cars on the street.

as an educator

With nearly a decade of experience teaching across some of the UK's most exciting publishing studies programmes, my work in the classroom has always been shaped by both original research and hands-on professional practice.

The topics and ideas I've developed through that teaching are now available as professional development workshops — deliverable in-person or online for your organisation — as well as through one-to-one or professional consultation.

Whether you're looking to upskill a team or explore a specific challenge in depth, I'd love to work with you.

  • International publishing industry

    Children’s publishing

    AI and Copyright

    Publishing Ethics

    Diversity and Inclusion in the Publishing Industry

  • Cultural politics of decolonisation

    Children’s political agency in oppressive regimes

    Revisitations in the creative work of girls and women

  • Mapping yourself: Finding personal meaning in your work

    Activating Research: Becoming a Research-Activist

    Happiness and Career Planning and Goal-Setting

As a creative

Before moving into academia, I spent years working as a magazine editor, writer and graphic designer. My work ranged from profile pieces — interviewing and writing about artists, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers — autobiographical creative nonfiction, and general branding and layout design.

That background in professional publishing, editing, and visual communication shapes everything I do now — whether it’s in the classroom, in my research, or in the workshops and consultancy I offer. I'm always open to collaborating on or contributing to creative projects, so if you've got something in the works, feel free to get in touch.

Red book cover with abstract black design on the left and white text on the right that reads 'in the words of CHERYL MARTIN'
Yellow background with black text and scissors illustration. The text reads: 'marbles' at the top, then a vertical dashed line with words on each side. On the left side: 'TEAR IT UP', and on the right side: 'welcome to the tiny revolution'.
Book cover featuring a smiling man, with a pink background and green text that reads 'Marbles.' A cover for Marbles Magazine featuring Bemz
Event poster for an exhibition called 'Vision 2020' held at Central Hall, Edinburgh, on March 27, 2020, from 9:30 to 17:00. The background features a colorful, abstract corridor with pink, purple, blue, and green hues, and the text is overlaid with t

Let’s work together

Let’s start a conversation and explore how we can work together!