Philippa Todd

Philippa is an ardent believer in how education in the heritage sector is key to young children understanding the value of their shared story and this is evidenced by her many years of primary teaching experience, particularly in the Integrated Education Sector and working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disability.

She works with the whole team in Tandem to ensure access for all in its broadest sense is at the core of our inclusive approach. 

Project Responsibilities

In addition to assisting the Interpretive Planning team, Philippa also manages the HR for the company, assists with accounts, high level research, proof reading, project evaluation and ensures the smooth running of the building and well-being of the team.

Beyond the studio

Philippa is passionate about questions around cultural identity, heritage and migration, herself being a second generation British Asian, a second daughter from a mixed marriage in the very early days of mixed marriages and growing up in rural West Sussex.

To add to the melting pot that is her identity, she has lived in Northern Ireland for the last 20 years and produced 3 offspring who have an even more mixed identity than her own.

She feels intrinsically connected with her Indian and English roots and now Northern Ireland, which for the foreseeable future, until she reaches her ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ style fantasy retirement in Rajasthan, is ‘home’!

Dream Interpretation Project

Philippa is both fascinated and deeply moved by the stories and life experiences of British Asians and issues surrounding migration. 

Whilst recognising that there are many untold stories, both historically and still happening, she would love to see some of the stories of her father and aunt’s generation being shared and interpreted through the eyes of their children in forms other than conventional interviews or biography, such as through a recipe book. Through the medium of food, this would include stories of partition, migration, being a child refugee, the 3 week ship journey to arrive the UK in the 1960s, living as immigrants and the abject struggles, racism and discrimination whilst trying so hard to establish new lives in Britain, against the juxtaposing backdrop of ‘swinging 60s’.

Qualifications

BA Hons Music, Religious Studies and Social Studies
University of Derby

MA Social Science & Cultural Studies
University of Birmingham

PGCE Primary Education
University of Brighton