CJ O'Neill

Dr CJ O'Neill is a Senior Lecturer in Craft at Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester School of Art. His academic and artistic work bridges ceramics, material culture, and social practice, with a focus on collaborative projects exploring themes like maternal mental health, women's lived experiences with clay, and the intersection of digital and traditional craft methods. He holds a PhD by practice (2018) examining authorship and collaboration through everyday ceramic objects.

His research includes major projects such as Materiality of Motherhood (2022–), Flightlines (2022–) with Dr Natasha Mayo, and Clay Networks (2018–20). These projects have been presented internationally at venues like NCECA and the British Ceramics Biennial, and published in journals like the NCECA Journal. O'Neill is a member of the Design Research Hub and has collaborated with institutions such as the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) and Gaddum Manchester.

As an educator, he teaches across BA and MA levels, emphasizing theoretical underpinning of craft practices. He has led programs like the BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design and supervised numerous PhD/MRes students exploring ceramics, material culture, and social practice. His artistic work includes commissioned installations (e.g., for Andor Technology, Belfast) and exhibitions globally, including at the Gardiner Museum (Toronto) and the British Ceramics Biennial.

Awarded recognition for lighting design and craftsmanship, O'Neill is a selected member of the Crafts Councils of Ireland and England. His work frequently engages with communities through participatory projects and workshops, aiming to democratize craft practices and foster dialogue around underrepresented narratives in art.