I am an Associate Professor in Illustration at the University of Portsmouth. I have taught and researched Illustration since 1996. I am currently the MA Illustration Course leader, PhD Supervisor (practice-based) and guest lecturer on BA Illustration. I am also a research mentor and coach for UoP staff. I have authored and coordinated modules through levels 4-7. I have been a year coordinator, and course leader and have overseen major module changes for the Curriculum Framework, QAA reviews and the integration of the University Hallmarks. I have experience as an external examiner for degree courses as well as PhD submissions. My practice-based research is about active critical engagement through illustration. My academic research focuses on illustration, Artzines and Artists’ Books both as a practitioner and academic, I created and now curate the Artzine collection Zineopolis.
Zineopolis collection of artzines
Zineopolis (est.2007) was the first specifically ‘art-zine’ collection anywhere, now regarded as an area of expertise in visual narratives. I represent the University on both UK & Ireland Zine Collections and Zinelibraries Collective (USA) networks that promote the use of zines as academic research. These collectives directly engage with makers and academics, and I am on the ‘Zine Librarians Unconference’ (USA) organising committee. This engagement is about supporting the underrepresented, to find a voice. The Zineopolis blog registers 2K global viewers monthly, this promotes practice-based research at the UoP and is also a dynamic network of practitioners/academics. This blog is archived by the Library of Congress (USA) to recognise its international significance as a cultural record and resource for future researchers.
A theme running through my practice research is visualisations of mental health. Post-COVID anxiety issues have become prominent and to explore this I am a zine scholar and illustrator on a collaborative Wellcome project ‘Crafting Contention: The Role of Zines in Contesting Mental Health Knowledge and Practice’ led by UCLan. I’m in a unique position to contribute as an authorial illustrator and zine scholar, this project is seeking to define new territories within mental health/visual narratives. My work was submitted successfully as a practice-based Impact Case Study in REF2021
My journal paper on this theme, ‘Are You Okay?; Identifying mental health narratives in zines’ won the Common Ground Research Network ‘Award for Excellence’(2020) highest-rated paper in the Journal of the Book, Common Ground Publishing, USA.
Selected Papers & Presentations
- Apparatus of Inadequacy: Zines, Technology, and the Language of Control
15th International Illustration Research Symposium. The Apparatus: The Role of Technology in Illustration. 21–22 Nov (2025), Koç University, Istanbul
Link to Zineopolis - Zineopolis keynote talk at Notts Zinefest, Nottingham Central Library, UK (2025)
Link to more info - Click ‘Non-Textual’ Output: Arts-based Practice-Research (2024)
Information, Medium, and Society: Journal of Publishing Studies (currently in copy editing)
Paper presented initially at Narrative, Storytellers Conference, La Sorbonne, France (2023)
Link to author’s pre-publication copy - Are You Okay? Mental Health Narratives in Art Zines from the Zineopolis Collection (2018)
The International Books, Publishing and Libraries Conference (Granada, Spain)
Link to full paper - Satirical zines about computers, apps and social media: Art-zines from the Zineopolis Collection (2016), CONFIA, International Conference on Illustration & Animation Barcelos. Portugal ISBN: 978-989-99465-6-9
Link to full paper - Art-Zines–The Self-Publishing Revolution: The Zineopolis Art-Zine Collection (2012)
The International Journal of the Book 9 (4): 69-86.
Link to full paper
External positions, awards & Interviews
- The New Art School: Design Education Talks Interview with Lefteris Heretakis
from Liverpool John Moores Uni (2025) https://odysee.com/@thenewartschool:c/Jack_Batey:6 - External Examiner for BA Illustration, University of Hertfordshire, UK (2024 → 2028)
- Consultant (Funded research project ‘Madzines’), University of Central Lancashire (2020 → 2025)
- External Panel Member for Validation of MA Comics & Graphic Novels, Leeds Arts University (2025)
- IMPACT Case Study: UoP32Artzines: Contemporary creative practice research: securing the future for ‘art-zines’ and artists’ books (REF21) Link for more
- Guest Lecturer, University for the Creative Arts (2020 → 2023)
- Recognition Award from the University of Portsmouth, for the creation of new online teaching materials through the COVID pandemic (2021)
- External Examiner, Norwich University of the Arts (2016 → 2019)
- Recognition Award from the University of Portsmouth In recognition of curriculum development
and successful validation of Master of Arts in Illustration in challenging circumstances (2015) - Founder Member UK and Ireland zine librarians Research Group to share resources,
and provide support for researchers working with zine collections (2015+) - Member of Zinelibraries Collective (USA) This group hosts zine conferences and events and publishes research into the genre (2014+)
- Contribution Award from the University of Portsmouth in recognition of teaching quality through the development and introduction of new teaching and learning materials and media (2008)
- External Examiner, Subject Specialist External Examiner for Multimedia & Design BA(HONS) Course
ALIF Creative Academy, Malaysia (2006)
Education/academic qualifications
- Academic research mentor and career coach
- FHEA Fellow of the Higher Education Academy FHEA, University of Portsmouth (2015)
- APEX Fellowship – Academic Professional Excellence Programme, DCQE, CCI (2014)
- Ph.D., The Safe Cigarette: Visual Strategies of Reassurance in American Advertisements for Cigarettes – 1945-1964, University of Brighton (2003) Link to research
- MA in Sequential Illustration/Editorial Design, University of Brighton
- BA (HONS) Illustration, University of Brighton
- Foundation in Art & Design, Cambridge College of Arts & Technology
Pale Ire Press 