Anthony Cartwright

Anthony Cartwright is a Lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), based in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment within the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries, and Education (ACE). An accomplished author of five novels focused on working-class life in the Black Country, his literary work has earned recognition including the Betty Trask Award and shortlistings for major literary prizes. His creative output spans fiction, critical essays, and collaborative international projects with publishers like 66thand2nd.

Cartwright holds a B.A. in English and American Literature, a P.G.C.E in Secondary Education (English teaching), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. This foundation bridges his prior career as a secondary school teacher and First Story Writer in Residence with his current academic role.

His research centers on creative practice, examining working-class representations and the evolution from literary realism to speculative fiction. He investigates how lived experience in industrial regions like the Black Country shapes narrative forms, while exploring collaborative pedagogical methods such as zine-making in undergraduate writing classrooms. Current projects integrate creative writing with immersive audio and visual arts.

Cartwright's publications reveal a trajectory from grounded social realism toward speculative modes while maintaining strong regional identity. His recent critical work analyzes authors like Alexander Baron through lenses of urban masculinity and spatial theory, reflecting broader trends in contemporary British fiction that merge social commentary with imaginative experimentation.

Notable recognitions include:

• Betty Trask Award for debut novel
• DCRC Immersive Arts Fellowship (2025) for "Ghosts of the Beam Engine" project

Cartwright leverages extensive secondary education experience to inform university teaching, particularly in modules exploring creative practice and the relationship between lived experience and narrative forms. His DCRC-funded immersive audio project exemplifies his approach to merging historical research with fictional storytelling through emerging media formats.

He actively collaborates on major initiatives including the "Transformer: Writing the Black Country" anthology with Dr. Rob Francis and experimental audio projects through UWE's Digital Cultures Research Centre, positioning him at the intersection of regional literary studies, creative pedagogy, and immersive technology.