Meet the team: New tutors in History, Politics, Sciences 2024 [Part 2]

Dr Martin O. Jorgensen, PhD
Published: 15 February 2024
The City Lit building in London

This term we're welcoming lots of new tutors across history, politics, philosophy and science and present new courses in these areas.

Dr. Jessica Feely

Jessica is a postdoctoral researcher in philosophy. She has previously taught courses at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Education College and at Kingston University on topics such as philosophy and art, feminist theory, German critical theory and Hegel. Her primary interests are in critical theory, Marxism, postcolonial and decolonial thought, feminist theory and the interrelations between philosophy, sociology and historiography. She completed her PhD on the concept of history in the philosophy of Theodor W. Adorno. Prior to this, Jessica undertook an MPhil Stud at University College London. She was recently a visiting postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for Social Critique at the Humboldt University in Berlin. Her current research focuses on theorisations of ‘globalisation’ and their relation to concepts of ‘society’ and ‘totality’ within both philosophy and sociology.

You can read more about Jessica’s course here: 

John Holroyd

John HolroydJohn Holroyd
John Holroyd

John studied philosophy and theology at King’s College, London and went on to teach philosophy and religious studies in schools for many years taking on a number of management roles before going on to lecture in further education. In 2019 his book Judging Religion A Dialogue for Our Time was published by Silverwood Books. He has had several articles about religion and philosophy published. Most recently his article Wondering in Uzbekistan was published in a journal for RE teachers, REToday. It reflects John’s keen interests in travel and inter-cultural dialogue. John’s subject interests include; philosophy of mind, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, multiculturalism, secularisation and the ethical character of religions, most especially Islam and Christianity. John believes in the classroom as a place where our lives can be made richer through our struggles and passions to understand difficult subjects that engage with questions about who we are, who we have been and who we might become. 

You can read more about John’s course here:

Terence Maxwell

Terence holds master’s degrees from Cambridge in both history and science communication, specialising in physics, as well as a bachelor’s degree in astronomy.  He is currently studying for a PhD at the University of East Anglia, focusing on Irish indentured servitude on Barbados, an interdisciplinary research area which sits across history and archaeology. Previously, Maxwell also worked for Queens University Belfast, the University of Cambridge and the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Learn more about Terence’s courses here: 

Julia Morris

Julia finished her undergraduate studies at The Open University in 2021, where she focussed on history and environmental politics. She then undertook postgraduate study at The University of Hertfordshire, completing her master’s in history, where she took a particular interest in women’s history. Her dissertation research was an in-depth study into a family of enslaved women in Barbados in the eighteenth century. Julia’s courses are interactive, using group discussions to analyse primary sources so that learners have the skills, tools and information to draw their own conclusions. In her spare time Julia enjoys competing in endurance horse riding, walking her two dogs and spending time with her family. 

You can learn more about Julia’s course here: 

Cristina Paterno

Cristina holds two Honours Degrees in Philosophy and Science of Education with History. She worked as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Cagliari in Italy, focussing on classical and modern European and Asian philosophy with a particular emphasis on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy. She moved to the UK in 1994 and taught at universities, adult education institutions, and secondary schools, as well as successfully assumed leadership roles, including that of a head of department. Her teaching style is engaging and transformative, characterised by interactive strategies tailored to accommodate diverse learning styles. Cristina’s commitment to incorporate human rights into the fabric of her teachings symbolises her conviction in the practical implications of philosophical theories and her belief in the real-world implications of philosophical ideas. For Cristina philosophy isn't just an academic pursuit, it is a means to foster critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. 

You can learn more about Christina’s courses here: 

Dr. Vina Theodorakopoulou

Vina Theodorakopoulou is a passionate advocate of the intersection of technology, business and society. With a rich background including a PhD in behavioural economics and 25 years in financial services, she wears many hats; social entrepreneur, podcaster and dedicated educator at City Lit. 

Vina believes in practices that not only shape the workplace of today but also pave the way for the workplace of tomorrow. Her active allyship for accessibility to digital skills, financial literacy and knowledge-sharing is at the core of nurturing belonging and mobilising progress across the society. 

When Vina is not teaching at CityLit [Ethics in AI, ESG, Cybersecurity in Business, History of Global Capitalism, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, Sustainability], she pens thought leadership articles on neurodiversity, the future of work and the strength of individual purpose for collective impact. In her spare time, she plays squash and coaches Kids First rugby, embodying her commitment to a well-rounded life that aligns with her values.

Learn more about Vina’s upcoming course: 


We are excited to welcome them and wish them all the best in their courses and hope you will join us in welcoming them all.


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Meet the team: New tutors in History, Politics, Sciences 2024 [Part 2]