CV

Personal Statment

Dynamic project manager, educator, and creative professional with a proven track record in designing impactful learning experiences and managing diverse cultural projects.
Skilled in stakeholder engagement, content development, and community collaboration.
Passionate about fostering inclusion, sharing knowledge, and championing innovative approaches to education and the arts.

Key Skills

  • Evaluation, reporting and project coordination
  • Inclusive and accessible engagement practice
  • Workshop and event delivery
  • Public storytelling and cultural interpretation
  • Community archives and participatory research

Education

  • PhD in Theatre, Cardiff Metropolitan University (2015)
  • PGCE in History (Secondary Education), UWIC (2010)
  • MA in Text & Performance Studies, Kings College London & RADA (Merit, 2008)
  • BA (Hons) American & Canadian Studies with History, University of Nottingham & McGill University (2:1, 2006)

Professional Experience

Professional Experience

Bishopsgate Institute

Cultural Education & Engagement Tutor | 2019–Present

  • Design and deliver workshops exploring LGBTQ+ history and cultural heritage.
  • Facilitate discussion-based sessions, encouraging participants to connect personal experience with historical narratives.
  • Support inclusive learning environments for diverse audiences.

Develop digital engagement initiatives that expand access to heritage programming

Mencap Cymru

Project Manager – Citizen Curators | 2022–2024

  • Coordinated a community heritage project supporting volunteers to research and share local histories.
  • Facilitated storytelling sessions, workshops and collaborative research activities.
  • Supported participants in developing exhibitions and public heritage outputs.
  • Built partnerships with museums, libraries and archives across Wales.

Museum of Cardiff

Education & Engagement Officer | 2019–2022

  • Developed and delivered workshops exploring Cardiff’s social and cultural history.
  • Designed storytelling-led tours and family programmes connecting visitors to local heritage.
  • Worked with volunteers, community groups and schools to broaden participation.
  • Contributed to interpretation and public engagement within exhibitions.

London Playwrights Workshop – Script Editor and Workshop Facilitator (2019 – Present)

  • Delivered workshops on playwriting, LGBTQ+ theatre, and musical writing, both in-person and online.
  • Mentored emerging writers to refine scripts and explore creative storytelling techniques.

Makers Guild in Wales – Deputy Manager and Content Developer (2018 – 2019)

  • Revamped the organisation’s digital presence, including the launch of an online shop and website redesign.
  • Increased audience engagement through innovative exhibitions and social media campaigns.

Insole Court Trust – Marketing Officer/Bookings Coordinator (2019 – 2020)

  • Spearheaded marketing strategies, boosting visitor numbers and community engagement.
  • Curated a series of talks and performances focused on history, literature, and politics.

Arts Council Wales – Investment and Funding Services Team Assistant (2016 – 2017)

Provided guidance to arts organisations on funding applications and project management.

Supported diverse clients in securing and managing arts grants

Teaching & Facilitation Experience

University Lecturer & Workshop Facilitator (2010 – present)
Delivered seminars and workshops for institutions including the National Theatre, University of Wolverhampton, and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Theatre & Creative Writing Workshops — London Playwrights (2017–Present)

Playwriting, storytelling & scene development.

Corporate Creative Learning (2021–Present)

Inclusion, storytelling and narrative workshops for professionals

Organisations include Lloyds, Taylor Wessing, Companies House.

Public Engagement & Cultural Work

  • Speaker and facilitator at festivals, cultural events and conferences exploring identity, memory and storytelling.
  • Writer exploring themes of place, culture and lived experience (see emilygarside.com).
  • Guest lecturer at universities including Swansea University and University of Westminster.

Study Support Worker, Cardiff Metropolitan University (2014 – 2015):
Supported students with disabilities in their academic pursuits.

Voluntary Roles

ICHope Inclusive Skating

Volunteer Coordinator | 2018–2022

  • Coordinated volunteers supporting visually impaired and neurodivergent young people.
  • Developed inclusive engagement practices and communication systems.
  • Managed scheduling, training and safeguarding processes.

Governance & Leadership

Chair of Trustees – Taking Flight Theatre (2017–2022)
Advisory Board Member – Arena Theatre (2023–Present)