My name is Kat Dawes and I began my PhD in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University in September 2010. My course involves writing a novel and an accompanying critical commentary. I have a BA and MA in English Literature from Cardiff University. Following on from that I worked in the IT department of Aberystwyth Uni for a couple of years before travelling, then worked as a writer and editor for a surfing magazine company in Cornwall for five years. When I saw the Creative Writing PhD opportunities on offer so near my home village in Wales, I knew it was meant to be! The course and practice-based research itself is quite new, so it’s an exciting place to be.