Even at graduation, I was still taking pictures of labels…

Taa-daa!

The Hodson Shop Project officially ended on 16th December 2016 – the day that I went from Ms Jenny Gilbert to Dr Jenny Gilbert. Even now, many months on, I am still processing the wonderful and life-changing experience that this research (and the Hodson Shop Collection itself) provided.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of the people who were involved in the project, including, but not limited to: the wonderful team at Walsall Museum Service, Sheila Shreeve and the countless volunteers and former museum staff who gave their time and thoughts so generously.  Massive thanks also to my supervision team and the various other academic and support staff at University of Wolverhampton. Extra special thanks goes to Prof. Laura Ugolini – my wonderful Director of Studies. Oh, and I can’t forget the generous role played by the Arts and Humanities Research Council who funded the research.

Should you be at all interested, the completed thesis can be found via the British Libraries EThOS respository. I will also be endeavouring to update my personal website regularly and may even return to blogging in the near future…

I am now embarking on a new chapter of my academic career as lecturer in Design Cultures at De Montfort University, Leicester. I am also carrying out research into the clothing wholesale industry in Birmingham and keen to pursue broadcasting opportunities.

This website now serves as an archive of four happy and fascinating years. Feel free to look back through the archives and, most of all, enjoy!

Thank you for reading,

Jen