Rachel Dickinson

How would you define yourself?

Master of the Guild of St George (Nov. 2019); a Director of the Guild (2014); Teaches English Literature at Manchester Metropolitan University (2008); craftsperson and gardener (all my life)

Rachel Dickinson

Please describe yourself and your areas of interest.

I’m interested in Ruskin as transformative inspiration in the 21st Century. Just as he looked to the Gothics/medieval to frame solutions to 19th Century problems, so we can use his ideas to frame responses to our own cultural problems. As an academic (English literature) and practitioner (textiles), I’m particularly interested in how Ruskin uses dress and cloth to offer solutions to social, ethical, aesthetic and economic problems.

Why did you become a Companion of the Guild?

Ruskin’s vision for what the Guild — a group of individuals passionate about fighting for true wealth and against ‘illth’ — can accomplish resonates. I want to be part of that change for the better.

Web link: www2.mmu.ac.uk/english/staff/profile/index.php?id=1628

Email address: r.dickinson@mmu.ac.uk