Hi there, I’m Kitty — a trainee Geography teacher at the University of Exeter, where I’ve recently completed my MRes in Critical Human Geographies. My academic background is rooted in a deep love for place, people, and the complex relationships between them.
My academic journey has taken me from the heart of East London to the rugged charm of the British coastline. I’m particularly interested in the spatial politics of heritage tourism in British coastal communities, with a focus on The English Riviera. My undergraduate dissertation, Community Cohesion and Youth Experience in The English Riviera: How does Economic Vulnerability in British Coastal Towns Impact Lived Experience for Young People?, explored how socio-economic challenges intersect with youth identity and community in these unique spaces.
At master’s level, my dissertation — Selling the Seaside: Romanticisation of Railways in the South-West — allowed me to explore the intersection of creative geographies, heritage tourism, and spatial politics. I particularly enjoyed working with visual and cultural materials to investigate how railways helped frame the South West as a romanticised coastal escape. This project also deepened my engagement with the process of decolonising geography, prompting reflection on whose histories are preserved, retold, and celebrated.
Beyond my larger research projects, I have a deep love for historical geographies. I often find myself delving into the intricacies of Victorian lives, kinship structures, and biopolitical geographies — fascinated by how the past continues to shape contemporary understandings of place, belonging, and identity.
As I begin my teacher training, I’m particularly focused on the role of media literacy in the Geography classroom and the holistic benefits of a thorough, inclusive curriculum for disadvantaged communities. I believe Geography has the power to equip young people with the tools to critically engage with the world around them — from questioning representations in the media to understanding the structural forces shaping their everyday environments. My practice is rooted in the idea that a well-rounded geographical education can empower students, foster resilience, and contribute meaningfully to social equity.
This blog is a space for me to bring together my research, teaching journey, and creative reflections. Whether you’re here for coastal heritage, geographical theory, or classroom insight — welcome!
Kitty Taylor 